I love to tell ppl good words that will make them feel good. One such occasion I haven’t forgotten though, backfired, making me feel very bad. I told a new mother who had just had her first boy after a few girls, “Mazel Tov – A Yingle! How precious….”etc. You can imagine, whatever ppl say…but as I continued she should have yiddish nachas or whatever I was exclaiming she was obviously doing this very strange new thing that is a style to be distant and almost shunning every word I was saying in order to ward off an ayin hara. It really showed a lack of being warm and receptive to someone being happy for you, and she realized her mistake and tried to fix her coldness as it was obviously inappropriate. She was almost loathing. I just thought the act was dumb and if someone wants to express happiness at your simcha, let them. If they are blessing you just receive it and dont do this weird kabbalah stuff at others expense. I didn’t have to be happy for her. BUt I was! So ….
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