What Delays Redemption? 10 Surprising Quotes from the Greatest Student of the Holy Arizal

Rabbi Chaim Vital, the prominent student of the Holy Arizal, reveals the dangers of jealousy in his famous book "Shaarei Kedusha." He explains that this emotion not only corrupts a person's soul but also delays the much-desired redemption. Join a captivating journey to understand why jealousy is considered the detrimental trait preventing the world's improvement.

1. Rebellion Against Hashem

"Jealousy leads a person to hatred, compounded by rebelling against Hashem for bestowing goodness on others instead of oneself. As our sages said (Ethics of the Fathers 4:21), 'Jealousy, desire, and honor remove a person from the world.'"

2. The Root of Cain's Sin: Jealousy

"Learn that the first ones were punished only through jealousy. Cain, who spoke directly with Hashem, was banished for being jealous of Abel, leading him to commit all those sins."

3. The Exodus from Egypt Stemmed from Jealousy

"The ten tribes only went to Egypt due to the sin of 'And his brothers were jealous of him,' ultimately resulting in the ten martyrs."

4. Jeroboam Was Punished Due to Jealousy of the Kings of David's House

"Jeroboam, before whom the sages of his generation were like grass, was banished due to his jealousy of the Davidic kings."

5. The Kingdom was Taken from Saul, Chosen of Hashem, Due to Jealousy of David

"Even Saul, the chosen of Hashem, who was as pure as a one-year-old, without any sin in his reign as our sages noted (Yoma 22b), lost his kingdom and was killed along with his three sons. Nob, the city of priests, was destroyed, Israel was exiled by the Philistines, and Shiloh's Tabernacle was ruined, all because he envied David concerning Goliath, and an evil spirit came upon him."

6. The Messiah Will Come When Jealousy is Removed

"The son of David will not come until jealousy is removed, as it is written (Isaiah 11:13), 'Ephraim shall not envy Judah.'"

7. The Angels on High Sinned Out of Jealousy

"Moreover, even the angels on high fell from their holiness because of it, as written in Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer (Chapter 13-14) about Samal, who was greater than the seraphim with only six wings, having twelve wings himself. He was uprooted from holiness due to jealousy of man."

8. The Nephilim Were Taken from the World Due to Jealousy

"Similarly, the Nephilim, Azza and Azael, were banished from the world because they envied man."

9. The Punishment of Jealousy: Decay in the Bones

"Anyone who harbors jealousy will find their bones decaying."

10. One Should Rejoice in Their Portion, Even If It Is Small

"Therefore, one should find contentment in their lot, however small, for is he not better than Hillel the Elder, Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa, Rabbi Yehuda bar Elaai, Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat, and others?"