Shlomo HaMelech's Teaching on Success and Modesty

Full Summary

This shiur explores the profound teaching of Shlomo HaMelech in Koheles that all worldly accomplishments are 'rei'us ruach' - they break a person. According to Rashi (רש"י)'s interpretation, the moment someone achieves money, power, or prestige, they simultaneously experience anxiety about losing it, preventing pure joy in accomplishment. This creates a fundamental problem where success leads to compromised thinking, as people become focused on preserving their position rather than objective good. The shiur connects this to the current week's parsha about Korach's rebellion, where various groups challenged Moshe's authority. Korach and his followers complained that Moshe had taken too much power by being both leader while his brother Aharon served as High Priest. This seems like a legitimate concern about concentration of power in one family, similar to the American system of checks and balances. The resolution comes through understanding the true meaning of modesty (anavah). The Gemara (גמרא) states that Moshe's modesty was greater than that of the Avos. When Moshe said 'anachnu ma' (what are we), including Aharon, this wasn't false humility or claiming to be nothing. Rather, true modesty means recognizing that all talents, achievements, and positions are simply how God made us - they reflect nothing about our personal worth or God's special love for us. The shiur explains that God Himself demonstrates this quality. Wherever the Torah (תורה) describes God's greatness, it immediately shows His modesty, such as when creating man, God says 'let us make man' to the angels, treating His creations as partners despite being their Creator. God's modesty means He has no ego - He simply is what He is. This understanding transforms how we view success and failure. If someone receives wealth, intelligence, or position, it's merely how God chose to make them, requiring no special pride. If they lose these things, it's simply a different test from God. The only thing that truly matters is the moral choices we make with whatever circumstances we're given. The shiur emphasizes practical applications, particularly in child-rearing. Parents often show more respect and pride for children with higher intelligence, better looks, or greater talents, creating destructive sibling rivalry. Instead, all children should receive equal respect regardless of natural gifts, with praise reserved only for moral choices and effort. This principle extends to how successful people should treat those less fortunate. True charity isn't condescending assistance to the 'less fortunate' but treating everyone as equals, returning phone calls as quickly, showing the same respect regardless of someone's wealth or status. The goal is to level the playing field completely, recognizing that circumstances don't make anyone superior or inferior. By internalizing this message - that achievements are just how God made us, not indicators of special worth - we can enjoy success without the anxiety of loss, accept changes in fortune with equanimity, and treat all people with genuine equality. This is the solution to Shlomo HaMelech's observation about the inherent problem with worldly success.