People don’t even realize what’s going on in their own minds. Clothing stores have begun to advertise in the style of the goyim and to speak in the manner of the goyim. The idea behind these advertisements is one thing; “If you buy this shtreimel, people will be dazzled by you!”
The same thing applies when people make simchos. The baal simchah could entertain his guests with cake and l’chaim, and even a big spread so his guests will leave full. It has nothing to do with the quantity of the food or the tastiness of it. But what takes place today—in many cases—is that the baal simchah is serving his guests in such a style only to poke out their eyes and to arouse their jealousy. If he would simply want to honor them and serve them, he would simply aim to satisfy them.
If someone really wants to honor his guests, he says, “It’s important that when people come from a distance to my simchah in the burning heat, I serve them properly with delicious cake and cold drinks, so they’ll be able to rejoice in my simchah.” He thinks the same way about honoring his family members who come to his simchah, preparing refreshments for them so they will enjoy. This is called doing for others, thinking about them.
