אַל־תִּיגַ֥ע לְֽהַעֲשִׁ֑יר מִֽבִּינָתְךָ֥ חֲדָֽל׃
Janganlah engkau bersusah payah untuk menjadi kaya; dengan pengertianmu sendiri, berhentilah dari hal itu.
Midrash Tanchuma
"And much cattle" (Numbers 32:1). This is [the meaning of] that which is stated by the verse (Ecclesiastes 10:2), "A wise man’s heart is to his right," that is Moshe; "but a fool’s heart is to his left," that is the Children of Reuven and the Children of Gad, who made the essential, secondary, and the secondary, essential. Why? Because they loved their possessions more than their selves. As they said to Moshe (Numbers 32:16), "'We will build here sheepfolds for our flocks,' first, and afterwards, 'and towns for our children.'" Moshe said to them, "Do not do like this, make the essential first; 'build towns for your children,' and afterwards 'sheepfolds for your flocks' (Numbers 32:24)." Hence, "A wise man’s heart is to his right," that is Moshe; "but a fool’s heart is to his left," that is the Children of Reuven and the Children of Gad. The Holy One, blessed be He, said to them, "You loved your money more than your souls. By your lives, there is no blessing in this, as stated (Proverbs 20:21), 'An estate acquired in haste at the outset will not be blessed in the end.'" "Do not toil to gain wealth; have the sense to desist" (Proverbs 23:4). And who is wealthy? One who is happy with his lot, as stated (in Psalms 128:2), "You shall eat the produce of your hands; you shall be happy, and it shall go well with you."
Bamidbar Rabbah
Another matter: “Much livestock” – this is what the verse said: “The heart of the wise is to his right, and the heart of the fool is to his left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2). “The heart of the wise is to his right” – this is the good inclination, which is situated to his right. “And the heart of the fool is to his left” – this is the evil inclination, which is situated to his left.
Another matter: “The heart of the wise is to his right” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – these are the righteous, who devote their hearts to the Torah, which is to the right, as it is stated: “From His right, a fiery law to them” (Deuteronomy 33:2). “And the heart of the fool is to his left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – these are the wicked, who devote their hearts to becoming wealthy, as it is stated: “On its left, wealth and honor” (Proverbs 3:16).
Another matter: “The heart of the wise is to his right” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – this is Moses. “And the heart of the fool is to his left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – these are the children of Reuben and the children of Gad, who rendered the primary secondary and the secondary primary, as they valued their property more than lives. They said to Moses: “We will build sheep enclosures for our livestock here, and cities for our children” (Numbers 32:16). Moses said to them: ‘That is inappropriate; rather, render the primary primary and the secondary secondary. First, “build cities for you for your children” (Numbers 32:24), and then, “and enclosures for your flocks”’ (Numbers 32:24). That is, “the heart of the wise is to his right” – this is Moses. “And the heart of the fool is to his left” – these are the children of Reuben and the children of Gad.
The Holy One blessed be He said to them: You valued your livestock more than lives. As you live, there will be no blessing in it. In their regard it is stated: “An estate seized hastily at the start, its end will not be blessed” (Proverbs 20:21). Likewise it says, “Do not weary yourself to become rich; based on your discerning, cease” (Proverbs 23:4). But who is wealthy? It is one who rejoices in his share, as it is stated: “When you eat of the labor of your hands, you are happy and it is good for you” (Psalms 128:2).
Another matter: “The heart of the wise is to his right” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – these are the righteous, who devote their hearts to the Torah, which is to the right, as it is stated: “From His right, a fiery law to them” (Deuteronomy 33:2). “And the heart of the fool is to his left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – these are the wicked, who devote their hearts to becoming wealthy, as it is stated: “On its left, wealth and honor” (Proverbs 3:16).
Another matter: “The heart of the wise is to his right” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – this is Moses. “And the heart of the fool is to his left” (Ecclesiastes 10:2) – these are the children of Reuben and the children of Gad, who rendered the primary secondary and the secondary primary, as they valued their property more than lives. They said to Moses: “We will build sheep enclosures for our livestock here, and cities for our children” (Numbers 32:16). Moses said to them: ‘That is inappropriate; rather, render the primary primary and the secondary secondary. First, “build cities for you for your children” (Numbers 32:24), and then, “and enclosures for your flocks”’ (Numbers 32:24). That is, “the heart of the wise is to his right” – this is Moses. “And the heart of the fool is to his left” – these are the children of Reuben and the children of Gad.
The Holy One blessed be He said to them: You valued your livestock more than lives. As you live, there will be no blessing in it. In their regard it is stated: “An estate seized hastily at the start, its end will not be blessed” (Proverbs 20:21). Likewise it says, “Do not weary yourself to become rich; based on your discerning, cease” (Proverbs 23:4). But who is wealthy? It is one who rejoices in his share, as it is stated: “When you eat of the labor of your hands, you are happy and it is good for you” (Psalms 128:2).