28 Jan Parashat Bo: The Dangers of Wealth

Before Benei Yisrael left Egypt, God tells Moshe, “Please speak to the nation that they should each borrow from his fellow…silver and gold utensils” (Shemot 11:2). Moshe is to instruct the people to borrow property from their Egyptian neighbors which they will take with them as they leave Egypt. After over two centuries of slave labor, it was time for Benei Yisrael to receive their due payment from the Egyptians, and God therefore bid them to go to their neighbors who, He assured them, would happily give them their money and possessions.

Many commentators noted the seemingly peculiar word “Na” – “please” – in this verse. It sounds as though Moshe had to plead with the people to borrow their neighbors’ possessions. Why would have to plead? Wouldn’t the people relish the opportunity to seize the wealth of their former oppressors?

Furthermore, why did God have Benei Yisrael seize the Egyptians’ wealth in this manner, by asking to “borrow” their possessions? Moshe had already brought nine devastating plagues upon Egypt; the Egyptians were already intimidated. Would they have refused Benei Yisrael’s request that they give them gold and silver utensils? Why didn’t they ask in a more straightforward manner?

One explanation is that Benei Yisrael feared the consequences of acquiring wealth. This marked the first time that Benei Yisrael as a nation became affluent, and they perceptively understood the spiritual challenges that affluence poses. Wealth is a privilege and a blessing, but it can often lead to arrogance and conceit. Affluent people often regard themselves with greater importance than others, and assume the right to force their will upon the less privileged and to exert control and power. To Benei Yisrael’s credit, they initially hesitated when the time came to seize the property of Egypt; they feared the potential impact that their newfound position of affluence might have upon their characters and souls. Moshe therefore had to plead with them to obey God’s command and take their neighbors’ possessions.

But how did Benei Yisrael protect themselves from the arrogance and egotism that often results from affluence? How did Moshe assuage their legitimate concerns?

Moshe advised the people to borrow, rather than just ask to keep, their neighbors’ possessions. A person who borrows expensive items cannot feel pride over what he has, because he knows it does not belong to him. If a person rents a luxury car, he can’t show it off or gloat, because he will soon have to return it. This was the solution to Benei Yisrael’s ambivalence towards their acquisition of wealth.

And this is the proper response to the challenge of wealth generally: to look upon what a person has as borrowed goods. When a person realizes that money has wings, that all his wealth could be taken from him at any time, his ego is tempered; he cannot feel too proud or confident. This is the proper perspective with which to look upon one’s possessions: as borrowed goods. Nothing in life is guaranteed, and there is no telling when our belongings will be taken from us. This perspective will help us avoid the pitfalls of wealth, and maintain the proper sense of humility even as we enjoy the comforts and luxuries of American society.