Most people would agree that envy is a negative trait. Yes, there is a special admiration for the scholarship that some are fortunate to achieve in their spiritual pursuits that arouses healthy competitive jealousy–“kin- at sofrim”– but that is the exception not the rule in the world of envy. Most people are like horses. When a horse drinks it pounds its foot. Rabbi Meir of Parmishlan explained that the horse sees its own reflection in the water and thinks there is another horse drinking what he himself will need and so the horse stomps its foot to chase away his competitor and to insure that the river will have enough water to quench his thirst. Really silly isn’t he? The river certainly has enough water for him and thousands of others like him.
Well, G-d has plenty of everything for everyone. What one person has, has no bearing on what another is lacking. His distribution system is so perfect that He gives everyone exactly what HE OR SHE need to do HIS OR HER special job in His army. Michtav M’Eliyahu compares this to eyeglasses. Just as eyeglasses made for someone else are not suitable for you, so too all the other “things”–the material tools–supplied by our Creator are made to suit each individual’s prescription. Resheet Hochma says that when a person envies another’s beauty, strength, or wealth they are demonstrating a lack of acceptance of what the Almighty decided THEY should have.
Today, when that demon hits you and he tells you that “It’s not fair” — stop! Consider that you don’t want to wear eyeglasses made to someone else’s specific prescription. Then remember that the “eye doctor” on high is the best suited to give everyone what he or she needs to be truly successful and truly happy. It only takes a minute but it will contribute greatly to your satisfaction quotient for years to come.
Text Copyright © 2004 Rabbi Raymond Beyda and Torah.org.