Rothschild’s Secret

“He shall not acquire much silver and gold.” (Devarim 17:17)  

You Can’t Take It with You 

 R’ Tzvi of Rudnick related a story, that he once had heard from a very just and well-respected rabbi. He was very close to R’ Shimon Wolf Rothschild, the world-renowned philanthropist. One day, R’ Shimon invited his friend to his palatial estate to inspect all the rooms to see if he noticed anything about the rooms that was not appropriate according to the Torah. 

However, one room was off limits. The door was locked with a chain, and he was not allowed to enter under any circumstances. Everybody was curious about this room and imagined that there was a tremendous treasure hidden behind that door. 

The rabbi was also curious and implored his host to allow him to enter. Eventually, R’ Shimon agreed. When the friend entered the room, he saw what was kept behind that locked door: a coffin covered in burial shrouds with a Tehillim beside it. 

The rabbi asked for an explanation. 

R’ Shimon replied, that someone like him, a man with boundless means and wealth, can easily forget the inevitable end that awaits him. Therefore, every Rosh Chodesh, he locks himself in the room, dons the burial shrouds, lays in the coffin and recites the entire book of Tehillim. 

“This practice,” he explained, “reminds me that one day I will be in this position. My honor, wealth, and other worldly possessions will no longer matter. As Chazal taught in Pirkei Avot (Chapter Six, Mishnah 10), that when someone passes away, they cannot take their wealth with them. All they leave this world with is their mitzvot and good deeds.” 

Shaar HaBitachon (Chapter Four) wrote, that one of the Pharisees went to one country to teach its inhabitants to serve God. When he arrived, he noticed that everyone wore the same color clothing and jewelry, and their grave sites were next to the front door of their homes. When he inquired about these customs, he was told, “By wearing the same color clothing and jewelry, we cannot differentiate the poor person from the wealthy and the wealthy cannot feel superior because of their wealth. And we place the graves beside our front doors to constantly remember that eventually everyone will end up in the same place.” 

Humility 

 A person needs to be careful not to allow their wealth or success to create a sense of haughtiness and superiority. A Jew should never think that “My own power and the might of my own hand have won this wealth for me…” (Devarim 8:17) Rather, he must remember that everything he has is a gift from Hashem. 

We can clearly see that wealth is not dependent on a person’s abilities, talents, intelligence, or work ethic. There are many wealthy people who are lazy and not the brightest. And there are many people who live in poverty who are hardworking and quite intelligent. Shlomo HaMelech, the wisest of all men, said (Kohelet 9:11), “Neither do the wise have bread, nor do the understanding have riches…”

Even when we see someone who is successful because he is smart, his intellectual abilities are also a gift from Hashem. 

Even good, G-d fearing people can lose all their spiritual heights if they allow their wealth to make them haughty and arrogant. 

The pasuk taught (Devarim 32:15), “And Yeshurun became fat and rebelled…” The Chiddushei HaRim from Gur noted, that the name “Yeshurun” is used to describe Bnei Yisroel when they are in an exalted spiritual state. Why, then, does the pasuk seem to disparage them? 

The pasuk is teaching us this incredibly important lesson. Even when a Jew is just and has achieved remarkable spiritual heights, if he allows his wealth to make him feel superior, he can lose all spiritual accomplishments and rebel against the Kingdom of Heaven, chas v’shalom  

Mirror and Window

R’ Yitzchak Isaac of Ziditchov had a scholarly chassid who was very hospitable with guests. He suddenly became extraordinarily wealthy. With his new riches, he built a palace on the outskirts of town. Slowly, he ceased hosting people in his home; no one was permitted to visit. 

Some chassidim were traveling to the Rebbe. As they reached the town, they encountered a powerful storm that brought torrential rains and brutal winds. They approached this chassid’s mansion seeking shelter from the storm. Yet, this affluent chassid would not let them stay in his home. So, they continued to the town. 

The chassidim told the Rebbe what happened. The Rebbe was deeply saddened by hearing that this man’s wealth robbed him of his hospitality. 

The Rebbe traveled to this man’s home. He was received coldly. The Rebbe held up a mirror and asked, “What do you see?” 

“I see myself,” he answered. Then the Rebbe took him to the window and asked, “What do you see?” 

“People walking around.” 

The Rebbe then explained: “Both the mirror and window are made of glass. However, in the mirror that is covered with silver, you see only yourself. In the window that is only glass, you see others. You need to remove the silver in order to see other people.” 

The Rebbe then started to pull the silver from the mirror. 

The chassid knew immediately what the Rebbe was alluding to, and he asked him to stop ripping the silver off the mirror. And, he said, “Rebbe, I promise from this day forward I will welcome guests into my home and give to others.” 

The Rebbe stopped and warned him, “Don’t forget what you said.”  

Don’t Increase Your Ego  

This is the message alluded to in our pasuk (Devarim 17:17): “He shall not acquire much silver and gold.”  

Even when he acquires silver and gold and becomes wealthy, he shouldn’t allow that silver and gold to “increase him” – to make his ego bigger. Do not allow money to make you arrogant. Do not feel superior. Avoid the natural tendency to create greater divisions between yourself and those less fortunate. 

Remember that everything you have is a gift from Hashem and you have been given these gifts solely for the sake of fulfilling His Will. 

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The Kalever Rebbe is the seventh Rebbe of the Kaalov Chasidic dynasty, begun by his ancestor who was born to his previously childless parents after receiving a blessing from the Baal Shem Tov zy”a, and later learned under the Maggid of Mezeritch zt”l. The Rebbe has been involved in outreach for more than 30 years and writes weekly emails on understanding current issues through the Torah. Sign up at www.kaalov.org.