Poverty as Punishment for Sin

Question

Is poverty a punishment for sin in Jewish belief? Can Hashem punish someone with poverty, possibly irrevocable lifelong poverty, because of one or more of their sins? If so, which sins are punished with poverty?

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Answers

  1. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team

    In general, poverty is not considered to be a form of punishment. There are many, many people who live in poverty who are righteous and pure. However, we are taught that there are times when Hashem will take away a person’s wealth due to their actions. There is a concept in Judaism called “Midah Keneged Midah – measure for measure.” It is entirely possible that when a person behaves in such a way that they use their wealth for the wrong things, Hashem may take away their wealth. For example, we are taught that a person who does not give the portions to charity and to the Kohanim that they are obligated to give from the produce of their fields, they will find their harvests becoming smaller and smaller, until the fields will stop producing altogether, unless the owner does Teshuvah.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team

  2. ddanielson
    August 28, 2024 at 12:29 am

    Suppose someone is very diligent about giving charity, yet they lose their wealth and struggle to pay their bills, what is the reason for that? Could it be punishment? Or is it something else?

  3. The Just Ask! - AskTheRabbi.org Team
    August 28, 2024 at 6:31 am

    It is conceivable that it might be some form of Mida Keneged Mida from something in the past. It is also possible that it is not directly related to any kind of sin at all. If there is a practical dimension to your question I would suggest that you try asking someone who is universally recognized as having expertise in the more esoteric dimensions as there might be some kind of Tikkun that can help the situation.

    Best wishes from the AskTheRabbi.org Team