We chase it, toil for it, sail across oceans for it... but is all that effort actually the thing that makes us rich?
Bamidbar Rabbah, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Numbers, dives into this very question, drawing inspiration from Psalm 75:7-8: “For it is neither from the east nor from the west, nor from the wilderness or the mountains, but it is God who is the Judge; He humbles this one and exalts that one."
The text asks, what does it mean that wealth doesn't come from the east or west? It's not just about physical journeys, the text explains. A person can toil endlessly in commerce, traveling from one end of the earth to the other, sailing in ships, wandering through the wilderness and over mountains... and still not become wealthy. So, what does that verse about "nor from the wilderness or the mountains [harim]" mean?
Rabbi Abba of Rumanya offers a fascinating interpretation: He says that while harim usually means "mountains," in this verse, it signifies "exaltedness." In other words, a person isn't exalted – made truly wealthy – by those earthly pursuits alone.
So, what does make the difference? According to Bamidbar Rabbah, the Holy One, blessed be He, takes money [nekhasim] from one person and gives it to another. That's why wealth is called nekhasim, the text suggests, because it's concealed [nikhsim] from one and revealed to another. And why are coins called zuzin? Because they move [zazim] from one person to the next. It’s a divine redistribution, a cosmic game of give-and-take. Money, mamon, the text playfully asks: what are you counting [moneh]? It is nothing. Maot – what of the future time [ma le’et]?
Hannah's prayer in 1 Samuel echoes this sentiment: "The Lord puts to death and brings to life; He lowers to the netherworld and raises. The Lord impoverishes and makes rich; He humbles, also [af] elevates." And what is "af elevates?" With the wrath [af] that He brings against this one, He elevates that one.
There's a story about a noblewoman who asked Rabbi Shimon ben Ḥalafta a profound question: "In how many days did the Holy One, blessed be He, create the world?" Rabbi Shimon answered, "In six days, as it is stated: 'For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth' (Exodus 20:11)." The noblewoman pressed further: "From that time until now, what has He been doing?"
Rabbi Shimon's response is striking: "He sits and crafts ladders; He elevates this one and lowers that one." That's why it is stated: "But it is God who is the Judge; He humbles this one and exalts that one" (Psalms 75:8). God is constantly adjusting, rebalancing, shifting fortunes.
The text goes on to illustrate this with the story of the Reubenites and Gadites. When God wanted to enrich them, He delivered the Midianites into their hands. The Israelites captured the Midianite women, children, and livestock – leading to "much livestock" for the tribes of Reuben and Gad. God humbled the Midianites and exalted Israel, fulfilling the words: “For it is neither from the east nor from the west, nor from the wilderness or the mountains, but it is God who is the Judge; He humbles this one and exalts that one” (Psalms 75:7–8).
So, what does all this mean for us? It suggests that while hard work and ambition are important, they're not the only factors determining our success. There's a deeper, more mysterious force at play – a divine hand shaping our destinies, redistributing resources, and reminding us that true wealth isn't just about what we accumulate, but about something far greater. Perhaps it's a call to humility, to recognizing that our fortunes are intertwined, and to appreciating the blessings we have, knowing that they are ultimately a gift.