We just walked in from a two night vacation in Yerushaliyim. Instead of visiting friends, we rented an apartment in a prime location, central to everything. The first day was spent walking around parts of the city, followed with a five hour matza baking stunt as we do every year. Today, I woke up at 4:30 with three of my oldest, walked to the Old City, davened Shachris, walked back, and then took the family to the aquarium, which was a first for everybody. It was great seeing their interest. One of the guides working there was impressed with some of the questions my son had, and most importantly... they had sharks!
So... we're finally home. Now to get everybody settled in and get to work.
Back to life!
I have a friend here who is somewhat rich. I know that his father-in-law was wealthy before he passed away, but I'm still not sure how this person has so much money. Now, if you saw him, you would have no idea that he has all this money. He lives pretty simply, nothing flashy at all. I just happen to know, because I happen to know how much he has given to certain tzeddakos, and I know his car. His car, while not flashy, is a newer model and a hybrid. That in itself is not so cheap. And the insurance he has to pay is also on the higher side. Considering neither he nor his wife (as far as I know) work … well, you can connect the dots.
On several occasions, when I needed a car for a few hours during the day, he has always freely lent it to me. When I asked him why he lends it out so frequently to different people, he told me the following: When he wanted to buy the car, he was worried about getting an Iyan Horah (Evil Eye) from people's being jealous. So, he spoke to his rav about it, and his rav recommended that he lends it out to people whom he trusts, and therefore, this will "cancel out" any jealous feelings people with have.
Well, I happened to run into the source of this.
There's a Gemara (Eruvin 64a) which asks, "What should a person do when he inherits the estate of a childless convert (that's a discussion for later)?" The answer, let him buy a Sefer Torah with part of the money, and then the rest will be safe from the jealousy of others. Rav Sheshes said that this also applies to money that he "inherited" if he marries a rich woman. Rava said that this also applies to somebody who is successful in his business.
Rashi explains that by using a portion of this "magical" income for public use (and later the Gemara even adds private mitzvos as well), he is able to "cool down" jealous feelings from others.
What's the source of this, asks the Gemara? From when the Jewish army was about to go to war against Arad, who attacked them after the death of Ahron. Shortly before they went into battle, they declared that they will donate their spoils to Hashem.
So, from here we see a nice "trick." If you will, to keep one's wealth. Simply by using it (at least part of it) properly, and preferably for public use. Not only will you not receive an evil eye, but if anything, people will respect you for helping them out with your gifts.
Have a wonderful Shabbos!