Prosperity in Judaism

Question

Is there a duality notion of prosperity in Judaism? I say this because there are texts that suggest that prosperity or well-being leads to destruction, as in Proverbs 1:32. If the impression of well-being leads to perdition and being in perdition there is the promise that if you convert things will improve, does this not lead to a vicious cycle? Is there kosher prosperity? I say this because in many biblical stories the nation's quest for prosperity involved trade with idolatrous nations allowing free movement within the country to attract merchants. Is it possible to get away from it all and succeed? Solomon prospered greatly by making alliances with neighboring nations, which did not end well for him and his kingdom. So what would be the solution? Nowadays, the view we have is that Jews are very rich and at the same time it is said that the majority are secular Jews, implying that this correlation of prosperity and purity seems to be something difficult to achieve. What do you think?

Answer 1

Thanks for this great question there is lots to say on it.

1) Wealth is a G-d-given gift

As a starting point, one needs to acknowledge that wealth and prosperity is something that comes direct from G-d.

Shlomo HaMelech writes in Koheles 5:18:

Also, whenever a man is given riches and property by God, and is also permitted by Him to enjoy them and to take his portion and get pleasure for his gains—that is a gift of God.

However, as with anything that G-d bestows upon a person, there is a responsibility to use it correctly.

Pirkei Avos 2:4 exhorts us to

Make His will like your will, so that He make your will like His will [i.e., so that He grant you good with an open hand.]

Bartenura explains on this:

"Make His [God's] will like your will": Spread your money on 'things of Heaven' "like your will," [meaning] as if you were spreading them for your [own] things. As if you will do this, "He will make His will like your will," meaning to say that He will give you the good with 'a generous eye.'

Wealth brings the opportunity to give charity. This gifts us the ability to show our gratitude to G-d for the wealth we have received. By showing Hashem that we value his blessing and are prepared to use it in a positive way it can only bring renewed blessing.

Pirkei Avos 2:7 notes:

מַרְבֶּה צְדָקָה, מַרְבֶּה שָׁלוֹם - The more charity, the more peace

Thus, wealth is seen as a good thing when channelled in the correct way and does not need to mean that its result is one of perdition or suffering.

2) Keeping G-d in the picture

Once we appreciate that wealth comes direct from G-d, we have to acknowledge that not everyone is blessed with it. Gemara Berachos 5b relates, "לֹא כׇּל אָדָם זוֹכֶה לִשְׁתֵּי שֻׁלְחָנוֹת" - not everyone merits to eat off two tables i.e. enjoy successes in Torah AND wealth.

As such, we have to learn to appreciate what we have - (See Pirkei Avos 4:1 - "Who is wealthy? someone is happy with his lot."). As Jews we aspire to live a more loftier lifestyle, embracing a life that is first and foremost, one of ruchniyus - spirituality. This is seen as a higher goal. We engage in Torah and mitzvos.

This should be the central focus. Pirkei Avos 4:9 notes:

Rabbi Yonasan said: whoever fulfills the Torah out of a state of poverty, his end will be to fulfill it out of a state of wealth; And whoever discards The Torah out of a state of wealth, his end will be to discard it out of a state of poverty.

Thus, first comes Torah, which if we duly apply ourselves then G-d will bring us reward. The problem many people have, is the moment they see success in this area, they can fall into the mindset that it is כוחי ועוצם ידי - it all comes from my own success, my own business acumen, leaving G-d out of the picture.

3) The Dangers

You mention that;

prosperity or well-being leads to destruction

Building on what we have said, G-d both gives and takes. If He feels we are not utilising this wealth in the right way then He will strip it from us.

In Chovos Halevavos it writes expressly:

If he relies on his wealth, it will be removed from him and left to someone else as written "He lies down rich, but there shall be nothing to gather; he opens his eyes, and his wealth is not" (Iyov 27:19), "Do not weary yourself to grow rich; cease from your own understanding." (Mishlei 23:4), "Should you blink your eyes at it, it is not here; for it will make wings for itself, like the eagle, and it will fly toward the heavens." (Mishlei 23:5), "so it is he who gathers riches but not by right; he shall leave them in the midst of his days, and at his end he stands dishonored" (Yirmiyahu 17:11)

4) Conclusion

So wealth is something that comes direct from Hashem. It is to be seen as a blessing and does not have to come through suffering. Rather we have a responsibility to honour G-d's name with it through giving charity etc. and if we do not utilise it in the correct way then G-d can take it just as easily as He first gave it.