Ra Ayin and the Progression of Punishment in Shemittah

Rabbi Zweig analyzes a Gemara (גמרא) in Kiddushin 20a that describes the progressive punishments for one who does business with shemittah produce. The sequence begins with selling movable property, then fields, then one's home, then selling one's daughter as an amah, borrowing with interest, and finally being sold as a slave - first to a ger toshav and ultimately to a non-Jew. This escalation is puzzling because it continues even after the person no longer has fields and can no longer engage in the original transgression. The key insight comes from understanding what Chazal mean when they describe such a person as "nivhal hon ish ra ayin" (compelled by wealth, a person of evil eye). Rabbi Zweig argues that ra ayin doesn't mean an obsession with money, but rather begrudging others what we ourselves don't want or need. Using the Baal HaTurim's commentary on Ephron's sale of Mearas HaMachpeilah, where Ephron's name lacks a vav to equal the gematria of "ra ayin," Rabbi Zweig demonstrates that Ephron begrudged Avrohom having the field even after receiving full payment.