What's with the obsession with money in our community. Even though the vast majority is the "kosher" kind, talking about how much tzedaka someone gave is just a disgusting as speaking about the house he's building. For the yenta who is obsessed with money he is glorifying the same ideals. The truth is that at first glance the Rabbanim and Gedolim bear much of the responsibilty, as to the untrained eye it seems there is excessive respect given to wealth. Truthfully its plain to see that all of the honor is exclusively to further spiritual goals, and the end always justifies the means. The rank and file don't get this and it reinforces their understanding that wealth is a virtue. They give themselves away by incessantly praising all forms of wealth and the people that control it. People used to be more refined. Can you imagine a respectable person saying "he has money". Money is a dirty word! It's always "he's successful" or another understated way truly classy people speak. Shlomo Ha-Melech said it in Mislei 27;21 "Ve'Ish Lefi Mehalello" A man can be tested by what a he praises. Take a long look in the mirror and decide where you fit.
The pursuit of gashmius is completely out of control in our society. For a fleeting moment in the heat of the pandemic it seemed like sanity and clarity had been restored. That was unfortunately obliterated along with the stock market dip, and is still skyrocketing with no clear path down.
Thank you for listening to my daasbaalhabayis and may Hashem watch over his children.
