Whose side are you on?

April 19, 2013 by Rabbi Michoel Gourarie
Read on for article

Question:
I have a jealousy problem. I am envious of anyone that succeeds more than me or has more than I do. It makes me miserable but I just can’t get rid of this emotion. What can I do to feel differently?

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Rabbi Michoel Gourarie

Answer:
This is a complex topic with many strategies to develop. But as a start here is a perspective to consider.

Our sages tell us that “a person is envious of everyone with the exception of his child or student”. Why we are we not jealous of our children and students even, though they might be cleverer or better than us?

Jealousy can only be towards a stranger who we view as competition. The stronger someone on the opposite team becomes, the more threatened we feel. But children and students are on the same team because we have invested in them, cared for them and monitored and nurtured their development. They matter to us and are an integral part of our lives and not our competition. Their success is important to us, and their achievements bring us pleasure and happiness.

This Talmudic statement is not just an observation of human behavior, but rather a strategy. Jealousy cannot just be eradicated. It needs to be substituted by a positive antidote. If we can put in effort to care about others, investing in them, helping and assisting them in every way possible, we make them part of our team. When we invest in others we create a closeness that eventually can develop like family. When that happens, their success is ours and we celebrate their accomplishments rather than feeling threatened.

The broader you make your team the less you will feel jealous.

Comments

4 Responses to “Whose side are you on?”
  1. Eleonora says:

    Dear Rabbi, Could you put that on the Internet for the whole world to read please and make this earth a better place.
    Shalom

  2. Elizabeth says:

    Does the Rabbi describe Envy or Jealousy?

  3. Lynne Newington says:

    I suppose I’m fortunate, I don’t envy anyone, but I’m sure your advice will be well recieived by those who do.

Speak Your Mind

Comments received without a full name will not be considered
Email addresses are NEVER published! All comments are moderated. J-Wire will publish considered comments by people who provide a real name and email address. Comments that are abusive, rude, defamatory or which contain offensive language will not be published

Got something to say about this?

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Discover more from J-Wire

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading