Reply To: Excessive Spending

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#689833
potsandpans
Member

while i cannot recall the exact name of this Tana( he had a unique name that had the word “tzizis” in it)….this Tana was known to be very very wealthy and says in gemara that when he walked his tzizis never touched the floor i believe, because he had a red carpet under him at all times…and yet he said that he never used anything in life other than for avodas Hashem….

This teaches us, you can have a beautiful house, a beautiful car, and beautiful event etc as long of course you don’t cause harm to others by it ( ie getting in debt for it) if you will use it for avodas Hashem…

I know many pp with beautiful homes who let meshulchim stay there…who hold parlor meetings at their homes etc

I know pp who have beautiful cars and we’ll use them to drive around rabbonim or meshulachim…

and a beautiful event can also do much for others: if its a fundraiser, pp like to give more if its in a fancier place…

A person may not give more than a 1/5 of his $ for maaser…

now the rest, Hashem has given him the right to enojoy the $, just as Hashem gives us things ( ie. food and clothes) to enjoy in this world.

Possibly Hashem wants to test that person, that despite a lavish life, if he can remember to give tzedaka.

There is no halacha whatsoever for a rich man to give all his $ away for tzedaka or to live as a poor man. I am NOT suggesting that this person flaunt or create jealousy with his $, but if Hashem bestowed on him wealth, he may enjoy it in proper contex and yes that could mean making a nicer wedding for his children!