BCC speaks: "Shtech Ois de Oigen” not to flaunt prosperity

The latest Chiddush from the “Chiddushei Baruch” aka the “Imrei Baruch” aka the “BaCH” (בח = Baruch Chaim Cohen) When Yaakov Avinu warned his 10 sons of Leah, Bilhah and Zilpah, to go down to Egypt and buy grain, to enter into different gates into Mitzrayim in search of food, he asked them rhetorically: “Lamah Sisra’u” why bring unnecessary attention to ourselves? Why can’t we just lay low? Chazal further Darshin this warning where Moshe Rabbeinu reviews with Klal Yisroel how they had to travel through the Midbar and said: “Penu Lachem Tzafonah.” turn yourselves toward the North (Tzafonah) (hidden, like in the Pesach Seder, we do Tzafun, to hide the Afikoman. Chazal Darshin, Penu Lachem Tzafonah as “Hatzpeenu Atzmichem” not to flaunt and not be ostentatious. The Midrash finds deeper significance to that Hebrew word for “north” “Tzafonah” and gives three explanations as to what “Tzafonah” When Moshe Rabbeinu told Klal Yisroel, “Rav Lach Sov Es HaHar Hazeh, Penu Lachem Tzafonah.” We circuited around Mount Seir for a long time. Hashem then said to me: Enough circuiting this mountain; turn yourselves toward the North (Tzafonah) was a reference and an allusion to our Diaspora existence with Eisav, or western civilization, as our host. This is the longest period of our Galus, and that’s why the Torah says that we had to travel around Mount Seir for many days. During that long and dark exile, there may be times when we will incur the jealously of our brother Eisav. Thus the words “Rav Lachem Sov” can also be translated as, “You will have endured a great deal” (as “Sov” is shorthand for “Sovel,” enduring hardship). The response to that friction between Eisav and ourselves can be mitigated by one of the three definitions of the word “Tzafonah:” (1) TZAFONAH - HIDE YOURSELVES, Harav Shlomo Ephraim ben Aaron Luntschitz (1550 - 1619), the “Kli Yakar” in the 16th and 17th centuries in Europe offered words of rebuke & Tochacha to the people of his time, whom he perceived were overly brandishing their successes as it was the cause of antisemitism. He observes there is no nation that has a greater natural jealousy for the Jewish people than Eisav, who’s descendants still harbor the jealousy and resentment from the time when Yaakov Avinu usurped from Eisav their father Yitzchok Avinu’s blessings. To obviate that jealousy, it’s important for Yaakov to not flaunt his blessings. This incredible Kli Yakar sheds light on Rebbe Shimon Bar Yochai's “Halacha hi BeYadu’a She’Eisav Soneh L’Yaakov.” It is a known rule that Eisav (eternally) hates Yaakov.” If Klal Yisrael falls into the category of Yadu’ah – we become known- (in other words we are Beyadu’a) and garner the unwanted attention of the world by our lavish and unnecessary material lifestyle, then know with certainty, that we will be hated by Eisav. In Yiddish, the warning is not to "Shtech Ois de Oigen” not to flaunt prosperity. Actually, it’s also stated as “Darf Min Nisht Oishtechen Goyisher Oigen.” That is, make yourselves less conspicuous in the eyes of society. Don’t flaunt your wealth, and don’t be ostentatious in the way you live your lives. (2) TZAFONAH - TURN INWARDS - When you’re in exile under the pressure of Eisav, turn towards that which is hidden. That is, engage in Torah study and spiritual matters. Depart from the superficiality of Eisav who only sees and concerns himself with the external. Harav Avrohom Bornstein, the Sochatchover Rebbeh (1838 - 1910), the Avnei Nezer says that the animal which represents Eisav is the pig. We know that the pig externally looks kosher, because it has split hooves, even though internally it does not chew its cud. This indicates that Eisav’s source of strength and focus is the externality of this world. We Jews are supposed to learn how to look past the externalities and focus on the deeper meaning of life. When we look at the world through the lens of our Torah, we appreciate that there is deeper meaning and connectivity to everything that transpires. Instead of watching social media and CNN for an analysis of what is going on in the world today, turn toward “Tzafonah” and try to find the deeper meaning that is informed by the more incisive lens of the Torah. (3) TZAFONAH - TURN TO THE FUTURE - Finally, when the heat from Eisav becomes unbearable, turn towards that chapter in history which is currently obscured, but which we have faith will be coming, the Messianic Age. This is alluded by the word “Tzafonah,” because, as King David states about that future time: “Mah Rav Tuvecha Asher Tzafantah LiyReYacha.” – “How great is that goodness that you have hidden away for those who revere You,” an allusion to the future Redemption of Moshiach