Chayei Sarah (2a):Satisfaction Guaranteed

ואברהם זקן בא בימים, וה' ברך את אברהם בכל
And Avraham was old; coming of days. And G-d blessed Avraham with everything.

Here we mentioned one explanation of this verse, let's now approach it from a different, yet complementary angle.

The famous question addresses the need to state that Avraham was both old and coming of days - this is seemingly repetitious. Also, being as it is obvious that Avraham did not own every piece of property in the world, what is the meaning of being blessed with "everything". Perhaps we can answer both questions with one answer based on a fundamental principle.

Our tradition teaches us that a "most people pass from this world without having half of their desires fulfilled." This is due to another teaching that "he who has silver desires gold," and "he who possesses a hundred gold coins seeks only two have two hundred." Our desires are ever-expanding , but our capacity to attain them remain limited. Thus (paradoxically) the more we have the bigger our eyes become and we feel even less satisfied. Affluence becomes the very source of dissatisfaction.

This is the driving force behind the rat-race that propels the material culture of "keeping up with the Joneses", "Conspicuous Consumption" and "Status Anxiety". Hard working men and women ignore their financial accomplishments of the past and focus only on climbing higher up the economic ladder. Materialism is a hunger that when satisfied only generates a more voracious appetite.

However, through faith that Hashem gives me exactly what I need then everything else in the world almost ceases to exist. I simply own everything that there is to own. My pantry and bank account are filled-up just right. My wardrobe is in sync with me and the fashion scene. My car and house serve my needs perfectly. איזה הוא עשיר השמח בחלקו. Who is rich? He who is happy with what he already has.

This is the meaning of when Yaakov says to Eisav, "יש לי כל" - I have everything. Compare that to Eisav's declaration of "יש לי רב" - I got a whole bunch. If that's the case, he's doomed to want more and more and more. Yaakov on the other hand attained the Midah, the attribute of "Kol", I have everything I need and all the rest is irrelevant.

Hashem blessed Avraham with the Midah of יש לי כל. This is the meaning of וה' ברך את אברהם בכל. Because he was divinely inspired into a state of deep satisfaction his days were full, not empty. He was able to look back on his life with a sense of fulfillment. However, there are so many who lack this and feel as is - in spite of all they have done - that life passed them by and was one big missed opportunity.

Hashem should bless us with the Midah of Kol as well.