The Lap of Luxury

Thank you Rabbi for your very timely topic. In the light of our present economic situation in America with millions who have no jobs, who are homeless and who have lost homes and other things, it is time for us to see what we can do to heal our world and not pamper ourselves and wrap ourselves in luxury.

The problem with this piece is that luxury, as are many descriptive terms, is relative and unique to each person. A simple "new" towel is a luxury to an impoverished family. A BMW is not a luxury to a well to do family. And the same is true for all of our stuff. There is an old Spanish proverb: Nada es verdad, nada es mentira, todo segun el color de cristal con que se mira. Nothing is true nothing is false, everything depends on the color of the glass through which you see. For me, your trip to Israel was a luxury that we could not afford even though we had the money. Following your logic, AISH should be criticized for advertising the trip to everyone, only to those for whom it was not a luxury.

Buying quality items that are necessary in your life is good common sense. ~~~~~~~~~~ A public display of wealth is vulgar.

Since the crash of 2008, I don't know anyone who is striving for luxuries -- most of us are just hanging on. And let's be honest -- a frum lifestyle is both hard and expensive. Day school tuition alone is beyond many families; the expectation to have large weddings followed by sheva brachot, bar mitzvahs, synagogue membership, high holiday seats, kosher food, etc. AND the laws of Shabbat and Yom Tov which prevent many of us from entry to certain jobs/companies, or to work a second job. I am not complaining about the unique demands of a Torah-observant lifestyle, which has been the greatest blessing of my life. However, I think it's odd that in an era when so many people are struggling, you're lecturing the lucky few about consumerism. By the way, I'd have loved to consider retirement in Eretz Yisrael, but it's clear that I can no more afford to live there than I'll be able to live in my present community without full-time incomes.

Of course, when it comes to ruchniyos (spiritual growth) we most definitely need to strive for the best. The Mesilas Yesharim talks about the quest for shlaimus, completeness, to be all that you can be. Perhaps we can use material luxuries as a mashal to how we should lead our lives. Every mitzvah should be done perfectly, because in the end, that is all that really matters

Thank you Rabbi for a very insightful and thought provoking video. I absolutely agree and one need only see some of the sad hollywood personalities who have "everything" and still it is not enough. A lesson.

you gotta be kidding! you earned it, you spend it!. so there will be less money to leave behind. no one ever left anything for me, except debts. i have worked damn hard thru out my life time. now i would like to enjoy. thank you very much.

With so many people in Israel simply trying to get by they can't even relate to this video. Yes there are wealthy people here but a lot of people are simply concerned how they're going to pay rent this next month and put food on the table. A huge percentage of people get by without a car and as for baby stroller they take whatever the in laws get them.

Okay, Rabbi Salomon, then you can pay the manufacturers the difference in their revenue from the drop in sales resulting in their toning down their advertisements. Let people spend their money because then that means someone else gets parnassah for putting out a quality product. Maybe a super-luxurious towel can be that one touch that a becoming-frum Shabbos guest uses to see the "darchei no'am" (pleasant ways) of a Torah lifestyle. Who knows? It's no one's business. For all we know, this could be Hashem beginning to shower down the blessings of the times of Moshiach. Another thing. The concept of "Only the Best" is a very big inyan in the Torah. E.g., no short-term romances, only marriage; ultimate reward not in this limited world, but the next; karbonos (sacrifices/offerings) and kohanim must be "t'mimim"- complete; the Second Temple, knock it down for the Third one. The best of material luxury doesn't have to be one's primary focus, but there are plenty of examples of sages and tzadikim who had the best that riches can offer while maintaining their spiritual growth, strength, and integrity.

"Only the best" is required in the Torah and by the Chachmim in regards Mitzvoth only but we are told to be wary of Luxuries in many Seforim ( as well as in the Torah - which forwarned, VYishman Yeshurin VYivat)! A towel for Shabbos qualifies as a Mitzvah enhancement, and if done for that reason is a good thing. But remember our Sages were very critical about what is done with ones money even to the extent of building a beautiful Shul when there are many needy in the city! HKBH was very critical of Dovid Hamelech OH when he saved up treasuries for the future Beis Hamikdash when there was a hunger and there were so many poor. Who can criticize Dovid HaMelechs goal amongst us but Hashem was not "happy" with that choice. Yes, so it's no ones buisness that is true, but it is each and every one our own buisness to work on our behavior, Haskafah, and interpersonal consideration (i.e. care and empathy towards other's)

I fully agree with you. Apparently most of your audience does too. I haven't seen a single entry that says that it is right to waste money on unneeded luxuries. Hashem gives the wealthy means with which to perform chesed. If he doesn't do that, he is misappropriating those funds. Maybe a little selfishness is human. A lot is inhuman. We should all have compassion for our fellow man. Keep up your wonderful work. Tizke lemitzvot.

Thank you Rabbi for once again pointing out the obvious to us. Yes, their will be those who disagree, However, in today's world, today's economy, less is more should be at the forefront, even if we can afford whatever it is. Are we sending the right message to our children? Could we do for others with the difference in spending? Of course we could. Those who die with the most toys are nonetheless dead! The media leads us to believe that if we don't have the very best of everything we are missing something. I am a person that believes we should all live as comfortable as possible, but helping someone else achieve this goal makes my heart sing, not another super absorbent towel.

This is something which especially the Ayn Randist types need to watch, in particular such using "patriotism" as an excuse to justify the wasteful and impractical kind of shopping.

I agree 100%. We are G-d's messengers. He has entrusted us with His money to make sure it goes to the right places. If one spends a lot of because he honestly feels it will help him in his service of G-d, then go right ahead. However, if not, he should at least give a similar sum to the poverty stricken and will thereby show that he is not being totally irresponsible with G-d's money.

I do think that the a lot of the more expensive goods are higher quality and that they last a lot longer. This of course does not contradict the great message against consumerism. I do hope that all of us are able to have the best that this world offers knowing that it is Hashem who gives those gifts to us. I hope that we can enjoy all the best gifts of this world, giving thanks to Hashem, in the same way that we enjoy every other gift. I hope that we never worship such things but that we always see in them the majesty and glory of the True Creator. I hope that we can share that bounty with our brothers and sisters

Bugaboo. The must have baby stoller that costs a mere $900!!! I actually know someone who has 8 kids & she said it really does drive smoother than here previous 4 stollers. I feel bad for her 7 earlier kids who didnt have the priviledge of napping in a $900 stroller!! Yes, we are slaves to labels, its insane!! We don't deserve anything! It's an empty emotional hole we have to fill & of course we never fill it. The towel, the Lexus, the vacation are all just things to pacify us until the need for more $$$$ stuff. Hopefully we will all learn one day that these expensive deserved things were just that....things. They cant buy happiness & they never will. In this world we deserve nothing.........it's in Olam Habah that we will receive what we "deserve."

If one has earned their money honestly- meaning they produced some value for somebody- then, yes, they DESERVE the services of somebody else that that money can buy.

It always irks me when I see an ad or hear a commercial that announces "You deserve..." I always say,"Why? Why does anyone DESERVE anything? There is no entitlement!" After 120 years, no one will be taking any material possessions along with them. We know that 'marbeh nechasim marbeh da'agah'. Material possessions increase worry. Why would anyone want their attention and focus to be diverted to material possessions, which will not accompany him to his everlasting home, when his real focus should be on the spiritual acquisitions that will accompany a person after 120 years? This world is just a temporary entryway to the eternal palace. We should not allow our focus to be diverted by the glitz of the entryway to the exclusion of our true purpose of amassing real, significant fortune that will accompany us to the hereafter.

While having a lot of money to splurge on is tempting, I think what really needs to be considered is whether one is living an adequate life, as opposed to excess luxuries and materialism. I feel grateful as it is right now having adequate shelter, employment, food, and health...Also, I'm expecting a significant amount of will money from my late grandfather, so I'm hoping to spend, save, and invest that money wisely.

In order to buy more, we are convinced to be unhappy until we have "it". Competition between those who have "it"'s serves that very interest. It also fuels the ego/pride. It's not new at all.

People need to live within their financial means and focus on what they have rather than what they lack.Yes I would like to have a new dress or a makeover, and travel every now and then. But I cannot afford to pamper myself at the moment and it honestly bothers me.I have to live with reality and work hard to earn that luxurious royalty treatment.I resent financially struggling. I hate having to constantly worry about making ends meet. A little something extra special wouldn't do me any harm.I would like to have the best that life has to offer as most people do.We are told to aim for the highest and not settle for anything less.But I am not willing to empty my bank account over that notion and pretend to have the money that I don't have.I've learned the importance of fiscal responsibility.I'm thankful I'm not in debt.I don't have loans to pay back.I'm grateful that I don't have collectors harassing me and threatening me with a lawsuit.By the grace of G-d,I am not about to be evicted from my home anytime soon. Some things must take a backseat and wait.

Where do we get what we have? Why do we get it? Does not G-d give us all we have to see what we do with it. You say I worked,earned, what I have. Did Einstein start with 80 I Q? Did Itzhak Perlman have no talent as a child? These and all of us recieved special gifts. Look what they have done! Who will have the towel in the next life?