Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz:
Baruch Hashem (Thank God), I’ve achieved success in my business and am doing well financially. Is it wrong to live according to the higher standard of living that my wealth allows—even if it might stand out from those around me?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
Think Deeper
The answer really depends on why you want to live a more affluent lifestyle.
It should go without saying that flaunting wealth out of vanity, simply to show off, is completely antithetical to Torah ideals and is not a valid reason to live at a higher standard.
At the same time, a nicer lifestyle can have genuine value. Feeling more comfortable and at ease can make it easier to serve Hashem with joy and peace of mind—and nicer possessions can help contribute to that state. Chazal teach (Berachot 57b), “Three things broaden a person’s mind: a nice house, a pretty wife, and nice possessions.”
If your motivation for upgrading your living environment is to enhance your avodat Hashem (service of God), a slightly nicer standard of living is perfectly acceptable.
But there needs to be a balance. While some enjoyment of nicer possessions and comforts is understandable, a person must be careful not to become overly indulgent in the pursuit of luxury. A Torah Jew’s focus must remain on spiritual growth, not on accumulating material excess.
Learn From The Higher-ups
Even a king – despite the honor and elevated standard his position demands, is explicitly commanded by the Torah not to accumulate excessive wealth, horses, or wives. If the Torah expects such restraint from royalty, then certainly the average person must be careful not to pursue a life centered on luxuries and material excess.
A wealthy guest once came to the home of the Chafetz Chaim. Upon noticing the sparse surroundings, a home furnished with just the bare necessities, and even those were of the simplest quality, the guest turned and asked, “Where is your furniture?” The Chafetz Chaim countered with a question of his own: “And where is your furniture?” Confused, the guest replied, “I’m just passing through. My furniture is at home, of course.” The Chafetz Chaim responded, “I too am just traveling through. This world isn’t my home, my home is in the World to Come, so that’s where I want to build my lavish home and furnish it with beautiful furniture.”
The World Is A Passageway
While most of us are not expected to live with the simplicity of the Chafetz Chaim, the message is clear: we are all just passing through this world, it is not our permanent home! The comforts, pleasures, and joys we enjoy should serve a higher purpose: to help us fulfill our mission and prepare for the World to Come. Investing too much in the comforts of this world creates the danger of mistaking it for our final destination.
Even when a person chooses to enjoy nicer, more luxurious things for legitimate reasons, it is important to do so with discretion. Living flamboyantly in front of others who cannot afford the same standard can provoke jealousy and resentment. And it’s not just insensitive, their resentment can give rise to ayin hara (evil eye), which may be harmful to the person himself. One should therefore remember the Jewish way to live with wealth and strive to keep things as modest and unassuming as possible.
In Short:
Having nicer things can put a person in a better state of mind to serve Hashem. But it should never be done with excess or vanity, and it must be done modestly.
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