It’s a question that’s plagued humanity for millennia. And believe it or not, our ancient texts wrestle with it too.
We find a fascinating perspective in Bamidbar Rabbah, specifically in its commentary on Numbers 6:23, where God instructs Aaron and his sons on how to bless the children of Israel. But the Rabbis, in their infinite wisdom, see a deeper layer. They connect this blessing to a seemingly unrelated verse from Proverbs: "Do not envy a man of villainy, and do not choose any of his ways" (Proverbs 3:31).
Why this connection? The Midrash sees "a man of villainy" as none other than Esau, the archetypal wicked figure. As Genesis 25:27 tells us, "Esau was a man who knew hunting," and as Obadiah 1:10 points out, his "villainy" was directed "to your brother Jacob."
According to this Midrash, God knew that Israel would eventually be subjugated by Edom, the nation descended from Esau. Israel would suffer greatly, leading them to question God's justice, just as the prophet Malachi describes: “You said: It is vain to worship God and what is the profit in our having kept His commission.… Now we praise the wicked; the evildoers, too, prosper; they also test God and escape” (Malachi 3:14–15).
So, what’s the divine advice? Don't envy the apparent prosperity of the wicked. Don't imitate their actions. Why? Because ultimately, God despises those who disregard His mitzvot, His commandments. As Proverbs 3:32 states, "For the devious person [naloz] is an abomination to the Lord."
Instead, the Midrash emphasizes the importance of uprightness. "And His secret is with the upright" (Proverbs 3:32), echoing Psalms 25:14: "The secret of the Lord is to those who fear Him…" This "secret," this intimate connection with the divine, is reserved for those who walk a righteous path. Malachi 3:18 assures us that in the end, we will "see the difference between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve Him."
Proverbs 3:33 declares, "The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked," which the Midrash again associates with Esau. Malachi 1:4 foretells that even if Edom tries to rebuild, God will destroy their efforts. Conversely, "He blesses the abode of the righteous" (Proverbs 3:33), referring to Israel, of whom Isaiah 60:21 says, "Your people, they are all righteous, they will inherit the land forever."
The Midrash doesn’t stop there. It goes on to connect the "scoffers" mentioned in Proverbs 3:34 with the Edomites, who, according to Ezekiel 35:13, were "haughty" and increased their words against God. But God, in turn, "will scoff," meting out justice according to their deeds.
However, "to the humble He gives favor" (Proverbs 3:34), referring to Israel, who, despite their oppression, remain humble and sanctify God's name. Isaiah 30:18 promises that "the Lord will wait to be gracious to you…for the Lord is a God of justice."
The Midrash continues, linking wisdom and honor to Israel, who are considered wise when they observe the Torah. In contrast, the Edomites are deemed fools, destined for disgrace and fire, as foretold in Obadiah 1:8 and 1:18.
But there's another layer to this interpretation. The Midrash also applies these verses to the sin of adultery. "A man of villainy" can also refer to an adulterer who steals from a husband's children by fathering an illegitimate child. Again, the message is: don't envy their fleeting pleasure. Adultery is an abomination, inciting discord and leading to a curse.
Instead, the Midrash praises those who abstain from wine, symbolizing worldly temptations, in order to maintain their uprightness. The numerical value (gematria) of "wine" (yayin) in Hebrew is seventy, the same as the numerical value of "secret" (sod). By abstaining from the former, one merits the latter – divine wisdom and guidance.
The Midrash then connects this idea to the portion of the Nazir, the one who takes a vow to abstain from wine and other pleasures (Numbers 6:1-21). The Nazir merits the blessings of the Priestly Benediction (Numbers 6:22-27) precisely because of their self-control and humility. They are the "wise" who inherit honor, while the adulterer and adulteress are the "fools" who carry away disgrace.
So, what’s the takeaway from all of this? It’s a powerful reminder that appearances can be deceiving. The apparent success of the wicked is often fleeting and ultimately leads to ruin. True and lasting fulfillment comes from living a life of integrity, humility, and devotion to God, even when it's difficult. It's about focusing on the long game, trusting that in the end, justice will prevail and the righteous will be rewarded. And maybe, just maybe, that’s a secret worth pursuing.