Advice on: Money

RAV BERLAND'S ADVICE ON: MONEY Continuing our translation of Etzot HaNachal, a compendium of practical advice from Rav Eliezer Berland, shlita, based on the teachings of Rebbe Nachman of Breslov. MONEY HAVING A LUST FOR MONEY IS THE BIGGEST CURSE THAT EXISTS. * A person experiences their lust for money 24 hours a day – which is not something that you have with the other lusts. IT’S ASSUR (FORBIDDEN) TO SAVE MONEY AT THE EXPENSE OF THE MITZVOTH. * When you try to find a way to do a mitzvah on the cheap, and to save money at its expense, this brings a spirit of tumah (spiritual impurity) down upon you. * When a person tries to do a mitzvah without spending any money on it, because he doesn’t want to lose the money, this brings judgments upon him. * When a person starts looking for ways to do a mitzvah the cheapest possible way, it’s known that shedim (demonic forces) rule over everything he tries to accomplish. A MITZVAH THAT’S DONE FOR ‘FREE’ (CHINAM) IS ALSO WORTH CHINAM (NOTHING). * The holy Ari, zt’l, never wanted a discount on his mitzvahs. IT’S POSSIBLE TO TEST HASHEM WITH TZEDAKA (CHARITY). IF A PERSON GIVES $100 TO TZEDAKA, THIS WILL CHANGE INTO $1000. * This is the inyan (matter) of shemita, on Har Sinai, this was to cause n’shemet – a ‘loosening’ [of the purse strings], to distribute tzedaka. A PERSON CAN GIVE HIS VERY LAST COIN TO TZEDAKA, AND HE’LL START TO SEE SALVATIONS AND MIRACLES, THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN SEEN BEFORE.[1] * If a poor person comes to a person’s home twice, to ask for tzedaka, then there is a possibility that a decree has been made on that person, and that if he gives the poor person tzedaka – maybe 100 shekels, or even, his last shekel, and then he just trusts in Hashem – then he will be saved from the decree of death, and his days will be lengthened. A PERSON NEEDS TO BE FREE OF ANY DOUBT THAT HE WILL NOT SO MUCH AS TOUCH A PENNY THAT BELONGS TO SOMEONE ELSE. [1] For a real-life example of this, please see the story [https://ravberland.com/saved-from-the-terrorists-knife/] of David HaLevi, who was saved from a terrorist stabbing attack in the merit of giving his last 10 shekels to charity shortly beforehand.