The issue of "conspicuous consumption" comes up as a Hashqfah issue from time to time. Does the Halachah have anything to add to the debate?
I'm glad you asked...In SA Hilchot Tisha B'av siman 560 we are taught to make a " zeicherl'churban"
See there the Baer Hetev 2
"And so with women's ornaments, who adorn themselves "to the hilt"
1. They Transgress a d'rabbanan
2 They cause many evils from the Nochrim who are jealous
3 See the Sh'LaH
It would seem that conspicuous consumption, even in the case
when passing the FIRST test, may always fail the 2nd test - at least in a society surrounded by Nochrim
And so the voices of the Posqim do not seem to approve.
Disclaimer: Moderate adornment with jewellery may not only be permitted, but even be deemed optimum. Extreme austerity brings its own baggage.
RRW
2 comments:
Ostentatious display of surface piety is also assur--the rabbinic expression is "yuhara". If fact, we are also told to avoid event the appearance of same, "mechezeh k'yuhara." R. Moshe Feinstein offers an example in one of his t'shuvot to R. Teitz on blended whiskey. Rav Moshe said that he personally would avoid whiskey blended with small amounts of stam yeinam (the subject of the tshuvot in question) but would drink it if a ba'al habayit offered him a l'chaim since he felt refusing would be "mechezeh k'yuhara."
The original trigger for my post was a discussion on the proper dress for Jewish women.
There really is no perfect answ4er except perhaps the "Godlen Mean" of moderation
RRW
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