Is Wealth a Virtue?

Is Wealth a Virtue?

Is being wealthy something to strive for? Is wealth a necessary evil? Should we be satisfied with whatever we have or should we strive for wealth?

For many wealth is a dream or a song, “If I were a rich man…”, but is it a virtue. Is it something we should all strive for?

This weeks Torah portion, Terumah begins with the building of the Tabernacle, the mobile Temple the Jews built in the dessert. The Torah describes G-d’s instructions to Moses, “Go to the children of Israel and ask them to donate gold, silver and copper ...”.

Why does the Torah begin with gold, most people don’t have enough gold to be able to give it away to the Temple, most people have more copper than silver and more silver than gold. So why does the Torah begin with Gold? The people back then were obviously rich, and gold was no big deal to them, and that is why the Torah begins with gold.

Everything in the Torah has an eternal message. What then is the Torah’s message for us in 2010? The Torah is telling us that wealth is a virtue and that each one of us should strive to be wealthy.

In what way is wealth a virtue? Obviously not in having the wealth itself, but rather what we can do with the wealth. Namely: 1. To be able to give more charity. 2. To be able to observe the mitzvot with peace of mind and magnanimously.

When we are clear as to what we need wealth for and we reflect on how G-d ultimately is the one who provides us with our wealth, this keeps us from falling into the vice of wealth.

Wealth is not just limited to money it also includes our talents. When G-d blesses us with talents and gifts we need to maximize their use and benefit so that they have the greatest impact on the world around us.

So should you be happy with your lot? When it comes to satisfying your personal needs that is a great attitude and will bring you happiness, but when it comes to utilizing the wealth, talents or gifts to fulfill G-d’s purpose for giving them to you, then that is not a good attitude. Instead we should strive harder and achieve more.

A rabbi was once traveling with his large family in a brand new mini van, after parking the car at a grocery store a woman came over and commented, “Wow you are so wealthy!”, he quickly defended himself by saying that the van was simply leased and that he had gotten a really good deal on it. To which the woman responded, “I was not referring to your van I was referring to your children”. Family is also a gift from G-d and is another form of wealth.

This month of Adar is a special month for us Jewish people. May this month bring you much success in all your wealth endeavors.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Zalman Marcus

P.s. On March 11, CJC will be hosting the first JBC Jewish Business Connections meeting. This will be a great opportunity to increase your wealth on many levels. This is open to all so let your friends and associates know about this.