잠언 23:4의 유대 사상

It is true, as stated in Berachot 5, that the three gifts G-d gave to Israel are acquired only through trials and afflictions. They are: Torah, Eretz Yisrael, and Olam Haba, the world to come. It is in the nature of lofty ideals that they cannot be attained without exceptional effort. Only three vessels in the tabernacle were constructed of hammered gold and silver respectively. They are the candelabra, the trumpets, and the cherubs on the lid of the holy ark. They symbolize Torah, Eretz Yisrael and Olam Haba respectively. The fact that these three vessels were made of hammered materials, indicates that the three objectives which they represent are not easily attained.

The wise man already warned us against zeal and exertion for amassing wealth, as written: "Labor not to be rich: cease from your own wisdom" (Mishlei 23:4), and he spoke of the calamity found in it, in saying "Will you set your eyes upon that which is not? for riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven" (Mishlei 23:5), and the other wise man (King David) taught us and permitted us to make efforts in earning money for our basic needs only, in saying: "If you eat the toil of your hands, you are praiseworthy, and it is good for you" (Tehilim 128:2).

Striving for large possessions and accumulation of money, of which it is said, "Labor not to be rich, cease from your own wisdom" (Mishlei 23:4). Concerning the king, it is said, "Neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold" (Devarim 17:17). All these superfluous things we mentioned which are for the improvement and enjoyment of the body transform in the end to evil because they mislead one to that which the Creator warned us against, and forbade (as written: "But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked: you are grown fat, you are grown thick, you are covered with fatness; then he forsook G-d who made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation" (Devarim 32:15).