The blessing of peace, of Jews getting along with one another, is awesome – and also quite daunting. This is especially true when envy enters the question. Jealousy is quite possibly the greatest catalyst for discord among fellows who “used to be” friends. One becomes jealous of the other, or, as often happens, a spouse become jealous, and, by allowing one thing to lead to another, two friends, or even brothers, can suddenly be transformed into rivals – or worse, enemies. In addressing the above pasuk, the Ksav Sofer cites the Alshich Hakadosh in his commentary to Sefer Koheles 5:11, concerning the pasuk, “Sweet is the sleep of the laborer, whether he eats little or much; the satiety of the rich (however) does not let him sleep.”
The Alshich explains that, unlike the wealthy man, the fellow who is subject to a life of poverty – at least sleeps well. Whether he goes to bed on an empty stomach or satiated, the poor man sleeps, since he has no worries to disturb his sleep, no anxieties creeping to unnerve him, to disrupt his sleep. When one has nothing, he has nothing to lose, thus nothing to worry about.
Not so, his wealthy neighbor. He has difficulty falling asleep. What is keeping him awake? His friend’s wealth! “Why does he have more than me?” This causes the wealthy man to be anxious, to interrupt his good night’s sleep. One may have all that he will ever need, but if his neighbor has more, then he cannot sleep.
Thus, explains the Ksav Sofer, the Torah offers a blessing: Peace, that wonderful blessing which eludes so many. There will no longer be any jealousy. So the wealthy man can sleep peacefully. He will not be jealous of his neighbor’s success. When there is peace, everyone sleeps.
