“But, I need it!” is an expression that my kids like to use.
And they roll their eyes when I prompt them to consider if it's a real need or just a want.
But it’s not just kids. “I need a new car” usually means my car is a few years old, I’m bored of driving it, and there are some cool new features that would be fun to have.
“I need a new phone” usually doesn’t mean my current one doesn’t work, and “I need a new shirt” likely doesn’t mean I have nothing to wear.
Modern American life is often criticized as overly consumeristic—and there’s certainly truth to it. It’s no surprise that our perception of “needs” shifts as our wealth increases.
In fact, this is exactly one of the warnings Moses shared with our ancestors as they prepared to enter the Holy Land for the first time.
To paraphrase: “You will have beautiful homes, plenty of food, growing herds, and everything you have will increase.”
Then Moses warns: “And you start feeling proud and self-important, forgetting the L-rd your G-d, who brought you out of Egypt, out of slavery…”
“And you’ll think to yourself, ‘I’m the one whose own strength and hard work earned me all this wealth.’”
Then he reminds them: “But remember the L-rd your G-d—it’s He who gives you the ability to earn wealth, so that He can fulfill the promise He made to your ancestors, as He is doing today.”
While Moses’ speech, found in this week’s Torah portion (Deut. 8), sounds like pure admonition, it’s actually a guide on how to live well with blessing.
It’s about maintaining a healthy relationship with our possessions so they don’t end up defining or controlling us.
After listing specific examples of wealth - homes, food, herds etc - the Torah adds something broader: “and everything you have will increase.”
Commentaries explain this refers to the lifestyle changes that often come with success. People shop in different stores, move to different neighborhoods, and refine their tastes.
The question is: As our physical lives improve, are we also growing spiritually?
The Torah’s guidance is clear: As “everything you have” increases, your mitzvot, your kindness, your Torah study, your generosity, all need to increase too. Otherwise, we risk slipping into the illusion that our success is ours alone.
Yes, our effort matters - but it’s only the vessel.
The blessing comes from G-d. It’s possible to work endlessly and still not see results; it’s also possible for unexpected blessing to flow in with minimal effort. The Source is always Above.
Maintaining this perspective helps us keep a healthy attitude and a positive relationship with the “things” in our lives.
It encourages gratitude instead of feelings of lack and guides us to make wiser, more thoughtful decisions as we navigate daily life.