Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Jewish
History and Religion
Rejoicing in Others’ Joy

Rejoicing in Others’ Joy

Last updated on: February 20, 2024 at 2:26 pm by Hebrew College

0 Comments

Rejoicing in Others’ Joy 2024-02-20T14:26:01-04:00 Hebrew College

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

By Rabbi Danny Stein, Hebrew College Rabbinical School ’23

Parashat Tetzaveh Exodus 27:20-30:10

We learn this in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of Our Ancestors):

אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר? הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ
Who is rich? One who is happy with what he has. (Avot 4:1)

This is a wonderful exercise in gratitude; I should strive to be content and happy with what I have now. But, what about those moments when I am jealous of what others have? In Parshat Tetzaveh, we learn that Moses’s older brother Aaron will become the High Priest. Now, it would be reasonable to think that Moses himself might become the High Priest. After all, he did lead the Israelites out of Egypt (and star in some excellent films about his life story). Alas, his brother receives the honor, and Aaron’s sons will go on to carry their father’s legacy as priests themselves.

We read in the parshah:

וְאַתָּה הַקְרֵב אֵלֶיךָ אֶת־אַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ וְאֶת־בָּנָיו אִתּוֹ מִתּוֹךְ בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל לְכַהֲנוֹ־לִי
אַהֲרֹן נָדָב וַאֲבִיהוּא אֶלְעָזָר וְאִיתָמָר בְּנֵי אַהֲרֹן׃
וְעָשִׂיתָ בִגְדֵי־קֹדֶשׁ לְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ לְכָבוֹד וּלְתִפְאָרֶת׃
[God says to Moses]: You shall bring forward your brother Aaron, with his sons, from among the Israelites, to serve Me as priests: Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron. Make sacral vestments for your brother Aaron, for dignity and adornment.
(Exodus 28:1-2, JPS Translation)

Now, you might also think that Moses was jealous of his brother, which is not unreasonable. However, in her book, Particulars of Rapture, Avivah Zornberg offers a teaching from Midrash Tanhuma in which both Moses and Aaron celebrated each other’s accomplishments (pp 356-7). Aaron was proud of Moses’s role in redeeming the Israelites from Egypt. In turn, Moses was proud when Aaron was honored with the High Priesthood.

Our midrash teaches:

Moses told Aaron, “God has instructed me to appoint you High Priest.” Aaron replied, “You have labored so hard on the Mishkan and I am made High Priest!” Moses replied, “As you live, even though you have become High Priest, it is as though I had become High Priest! Just as you rejoiced when I rose to greatness [when I brought the Israelites out of Egypt], so I rejoice in your greatness [as you become High Priest]” (Midrash Tanhuma, Shemini Chapter 3).

Rather than becoming envious of each other’s accomplishments, both Aaron and Moses lift up the other one’s success. Their humility and ability to see beyond their own egos is an esteemable and rare trait. Each one is able to rejoice in his brother’s accomplishment, not because it brings him status or honor, but simply because the other one is fulfilled.

Which brings me back to the opening teaching from Pirkei Avot:

אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר? הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ
Who is rich? One who is happy with what he has.

The construction of the question’s answer uses a pronoun rather than a clear identifier. This leaves enough room for creative ambiguity: exactly whose portion are we referring to? I propose a rereading:

Do not read it as “Who is rich? One who is happy with what he [the person who is happy] has.” Rather, read it as, “Who is rich? One who is happy with what he [their fellow] has!”

Imagine a world in which our tradition teaches us to rejoice in others’ simhas (joys) just as much as we rejoice in our own. Our happiness increases when we are content with our own lives and with the joys of others. May Moses and Aaron’s humility and joy for each other serve as an inspiration for each of us. May we be happy in the accomplishments and simhas of those around us, and may their simhas become our simhas.

Danny Stein (Rabbinical School ’23) is the rabbi of The Selma and Lawrence Ruben Base UWS in New York City (powered by Moishe House). Alongside his wife Tamara, they build a pluralistic Jewish community for 20s and 30s based out of their home. He is deeply passionate about helping others connect with Judaism in authentically meaningful ways. He is committed to helping others’ grow in their connections to Judaism through Torah, justice and compassion, soulful prayer, and stimulating conversations. You will most likely find Danny studying a hasidic text, rallying for justice, (re)watching “The West Wing,” or eating sushi.

History and Religion

Previous Post

February 13, 2024

Still We Build

Next Post

February 27, 2024 No Milk & Honey without You

Recent Comments

0 | Leave a Comment

"Did God call in Genesis chapter 1 also small Aleph?"

Herrnhut

Aleph: A Love Letter

""Maybe this is the year to take the Yovel seriously even if we can’t take ..."

William T. Orr, Jr.

Proclaiming Release: Why We Need a ..."

"very nice!"

Jeremy Golan

If Only It Were Now

McChickenboc

The Burden of Miracles

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month April 2026 March 2026 December 2025 November 2025 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 July 2025 June 2025 May 2025 April 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 December 2024 November 2024 October 2024 September 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 August 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 April 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 October 2022 September 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 August 2020 July 2020 June 2020 May 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 September 2019 August 2019 July 2019 June 2019 May 2019 April 2019 March 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 September 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz