By Naftali Weinberger
R’ Aharon Leib Shteinman explained that the key to bracha is to live an understated lifestyle without calling attention to oneself. This applies to the way one dresses, celebrates simchos, builds and furnishes a house, enjoys the nachas of one’s family, or deals with any form of good fortune. Ostentatious behavior begs to be noticed and naturally leads to comparison, which, in turn, may result in feelings of dejection, inadequacy, and jealousy in less fortunate individuals.
This emotional pain – which arguably falls into the category of “bein adam la’chaveiro” – may cause harm to the one who flaunted his fortune. It causes the object of jealousy to come under closer Heavenly scrutiny, and this can lead to misfortune. (Excerpted from the ArtScroll book – “Reb Aharon Leib”)
Reprinted from the Parshas Re’eh email of The Weekly Vort.
