The document discusses a quote from Rabbi Akiva saying "Who is rich? someone who is happy with what he has". It then provides context about Rabbi Akiva and his role as a leading contributor to the Mishnah and Midrash Halacha. The document goes on to examine Rabbi Akiva's view that being satisfied with what you have is a good sign, while not being satisfied is a bad sign. It asks the reader to consider if feeling content with your current life is indicative of your future feelings.

1. “Who is rich? someone who is happy with what he has”
Mishnah Pirke Avot 4:1

2. Akaka ben Joseph (ca.40–ca.137 CE), widely known
Learn the Tosafot as Rabbi Akiva was a tanna of the latter part of the
1st century and the beginning of the 2nd century.
and answer the
Rabbi Akiva was a leading contributor to
questions: the Mishnah and Midrash Halacha. He is referred to in
the Talmud as "Rosh la-Chachamim" (Head of all the
Sages). He is considered by tradition to be one of the
earliest founders of rabbinical Judaism.
Rabbi Akiva used to say;
“If people are satisfied with what is theirs, it is a good sign for them. If they are not
satisfied with what is theirs, it is a bad sign for them”
Source; Tosafot Brachot 3:3
1. Why is being satisfied a "good sign"?
2. Why is not being satisfied a "bad sign"?
3. Do you agree or disagree that how you feel now about your life is a good
indicator of how you will feel in the future, Please explain.

3. In the last slide Rabbi Akiva called not being satisfied a “bad sign”. Envy is one way a
person shows dissatisfaction. There are other “bad signs” that reflect discontentment.
Rabbi Elazar Hakappar taught: “Envy, lust and pursuit of honor will ruin a persons life”
Pirke avot 4:28
1. How might envy ruin a persons life?
2. How might the pursuit of honor ruin a person life?
3. Is it possible to really work on being content, how so ?
4. Is contentment an emotion people can control, explain?

4. “When the camel demands horns they cut off its ears”
Source: Talmud Sanhedrin 106a
1. Why do you think the camel demanded horns?
2. Was it envious?
3. Was it pursuing honor (jealous of the honor horned
animals receive)?

5. When can envy be a good thing?
“The envy of scribes increases wisdom”
Source: Talmud Baba Batra 21a
“A person sees another learning should generate envy in the heart and say: “That
person learns a whole day; I will do likewise”. The same applies to all Mitzvot and
good Midot - everyone should envy their neighbors and seize upon their good
deeds”.
Source: Sefer Orchot Tzadikim (the ways of the righteous)
Written in Germany during the 15th Century - Author unknown
1. Do you agree that envy can have a positive result, please explain.
2. Can you add other things that are acceptable to envy?
3. In what way does what you do with envy make a difference?
4. Even when envying the good Middot of others, what precautions must be taken so
that there are no negative results?

6. Learn the Talmud and answer the questions:
“R. Eleazar used to recite three prayers after his recitation of the Amidah. What did he
say? ‘May it be your will, Hashem, and G-d of my fathers, that no person come to hate
us, nor that we come to hate any person, and that no person come to envy us, not that
we come to envy any person. And let [the study of] your Torah be our occupation all the
days of our lives. And let our words be supplications before you.’“
Source” Talmud Yerusalmi 4b
1. Do you find this Teffilah meaningful to include as part of your daily Davening?
2. What would you add or adjust?
3. Do you think someone whose life reflects the essence of this prayer would be
Samayach Bechelko?
4. How can you make this prayer meaningful to yourself?