Parshas Eikev: First Class Envy:

Being that I am currently in Hong Kong, I will share with you a thought from my travels. On the first leg of the journey from Tel Aviv to Bangkok via Moscow, the airline’s reservation system mistakenly assigned business class seats to all six of our group. The ticket agents in the airport were unable to view the seating on the plane, yet they informed us that we were in fact seated in first class. When we arrived on the plane, my wife and I discovered that we were seated in business class, yet our fellow four companions were seated in first class. This was no ordinary first class. It was a Boeing 747-400 with seats that transformed into beds. Until I arrived on the plane I was ecstatic knowing that I would finally be flying in business class. In all due honesty, once I spotted my friends sitting in first class, it diminished the ecstasy of business class. The twelve hours spent on the plane was fine, but I couldn’t help thinking that I was guilty of transgressing the prohibition of coveting that which was not rightfully mine.

What is the root of the prohibition to covet a fellow’s possession (or a first class seat)? For the occasion of Tisha B’av, the Chafetz Chaim Heritage Foundation released a video which was screened in hundreds of locations worldwide. This year’s annual video focused on the topic of envy. The Mashgiach of the Lakewood Yeshivah, (BMG) Rabbi Mattisyahu Solomon, explained that the root of jealousy is the inherent belief that each person determines their own fate. The reality is that every person’s portfolio is determined by G-d. Yes we put in our effort, but in effect, our effort simply provides the illusion that the outcome is caused by our effort. That illusion is precisely that: an illusion. G-d solely determines our share. Yes, we must do our part, but the ultimate result is G-d’s decree.

As was pointed out in the video, envy is the cause of much of our negative issues in interpersonal relations. Gossip, judging somebody unfavorably, harboring grudges, and many other issues are a direct consequence of envy. If we would comprehend the fact that each person has their individually unique portion, much of our negative interpersonal issues would disappear.

Now that I have pretty much gotten over that mediocre business class experience, I hope that the root cause of envy has also been diminished. (Just for the record, the economy class experience on Sri Lankan Airlines from Bangkok to Hong Kong was much more enjoyable than both the business and first class seats on the way to Bangkok!) It is no simple matter to erase all vestiges of envy overnight. Let us bear in mind however that G-d determined envy to be such an impediment to spirituality that G-d included it in the Ten Commandments. It is a lifetime’s work, but let it begin today!

May we all merit to attain the level of becoming devoid of envy to the extent that we can fully rejoice in each other’s happiness, and be pained by each others sadness’s R”L. Amen.