לא תחמוד אשת רעך
Don't be jealous of your fellow's wife
The Saraf (Firey Angel), R' Uri M'Strelisk (and here) revealed the hidden message of this commandment:
When a regular Jew comes into contact with a Gadol, there is usually one of two reactions: It's either a turn-on or a turn-off. The first occurs when the interaction creates inspiration. A Tzadik is charged with the responsibility of elevating those in his surroundings. This is the idea. However, sometimes that connection doesn't click and the innocent observer's experience is sapped of its potential. We see him Davening with such התלהבות, fire and passion that we may unfortunately think, "I'll never be like that, so what's the point."
Oy, what a mistake. Hashem's love for the Jewish people is limitless in its depth and its nuance. An expert in gem stones can illustrate the unique glitter that differentiates one stone from another, and all the more so with the infinite beauty that HaKadosh Baruch Hu sees in every Neshamah. Hashem knows exactly our circumstances; He set them up. Hashem knows our strengths and weaknesses; He created us. Thus, what one Jew does to give Avinu SheBaShomayim Nachas Ruach has no bearings whatsoever on the responsibilities of his neighbor. It specifically because each thread is of differing width and color that the tapestry emerges with vibrancy.
The commandment states, לא תחמוד אשת רעך - don't be jealous of your friend's wife. However, the word אשת can also be translated as, 'the fire of'. Don't be effected by his התלהבות. Hashem's love of you is totally unique. His expectations are of you tailor made. He beams with pride because of you in a way that is not only individual to you, but no one in the history of the world can do quite what you do.
לא תחמוד אשת רעך - Don't be jealous of your friend's fire.
To be continued...
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