The Tenth Commandment

At the center of our parsha is the Revelation at Sinai and the Asres Hadibros – the Ten Commandments – presented to us by Hashem on that occasion. The tenth of the commandments is: Lo Tachmod – do not covet your fellow’s house, wife, etc.[1]

Of Villagers and Princesses – Vision and Thought

Probably the most famous question regarding this commandment is raised by the Ibn Ezra: How can the Torah tell me not do desire something? If my neighbor has a nice house or wife, etc., it is only natural for me to desire them! Granted, in terms of acting on this thought, the Torah can instruct me not to take these items from him, but the thought itself is surely in a realm that is beyond a person’s control, no?

Actually, says the Ibn Ezra, no.

Many of the things that we think or feel are shaped by the way we see things. Let us use as a parable a common villager who sees a beautiful princess; he may admire her beauty, but the notion of, “I would like her for myself” does not even cross his mind. Why not? Because it is clear to him that it could never happen. We see that one’s vision of things can, indeed, prevent even a thought from entering his mind. Likewise, says the Ibn Ezra, if it is fundamentally clear to a person that what his fellow has is what has been ordained for them by Heaven, which means Hashem has decided that it is for them and not for him, then the notion of obtaining it will be as far removed from his consciousness as the princess is from the villager.

In addition to answering his basic question, this idea of the Ibn Ezra gives us profound insight regarding the entire commandment of Lo Tachmod. As we know, mitzvos are divided into two categories: bein adam laMakom and bein adam le’chaveiro – between man and God and between man and his fellow man. Now, the prohibition against coveting one’s fellow’s property would surely appear to fit squarely within the second category, and to a certain degree it definitely does. Yet, at the same time, the perspective which enables its fulfillment derives specifically from an idea that lies in the realm between man and God!

Additionally, although Lo Tachmod is stated in the negative (“Do not covet”), which generally identifies the prohibited entity as the focus of the command, in this case, the way to fulfill the command is actually positive. For ultimately, the commandment is not, “Do not think or feel that,” but rather, “Develop a perspective whereby such a thought will not enter your mind.”[2]

In the Midrash

A very beautiful perspective on the basis for the commandment of Lo Tachmod is found in the words of the Sages themselves. The Midrash in Parshas Kedoshim[3] explains that the opening verses of that parsha parallel the Ten Commandments. Some of these parallels are immediately apparent: both contain references to keeping Shabbos, respecting parents, belief on Hashem, and avoiding idol-worship. But what about Lo Tachmod? Which verse in Kedoshim parallels that commandment? The answer, says the Midrash, is the verse which states: “וְאָהַבְתָּ לְרֵעֲךָ כָּמוֹךָ – Love your neighbor as yourself”![4]

This is a most profound and elevating statement. The Midrash is informing us that, ultimately, the background to the Torah commanding us not to covet someone else’s possessions is not just to be content ourselves with what we he have, but to be happy for them with what they have! The goal of the Mitzvah is not for a person to remove his fellow’s possessions from his thoughts; it is to bring his fellow, together with his possessions, into his heart and to rejoice in his success.

The Mishnah in Pirkei Avos[5] states: “איזהו עשיר? השמח בחלקו – Who is rich? One who is happy with his portion.” The simple reading of this Mishnah is that it refers to someone who is content and happy with what he owns; for wealth is not a function of the amount of money that one has amassed, but of one’s perspective regarding that wealth. However, the Kotzker Rebbe would explain the Mishnah as saying: Who is rich? A person who can regard his fellow and be שמח בחלקו – happy with his i.e. his fellow’s, portion! One who can see someone else’s prosperity and be happy on that person’s behalf is truly rich.

[1] Shemos 20: 14.

[2] It is important to note that although coveting is closely associated with jealousy, it specifically relates to desiring the object that belongs to someone else. Often, a feeling of jealousy over someone else’s possessions will motivate a person to obtain a similar item for himself. This is commonly known as “Keeping up with the Joneses”, and, while it can often be very costly and fretful, it is not Lo Tachmod. Lo Tachmod is about seeking to obtain Mr Jones’ house and wife, etc., for oneself.

[3] Vayikra Rabbah 24:5.

[4] Vayikra 19:18.

[5] 4:1.