I love the concept of “There is no discussion in our liturgy of “fixing” inequality, or of taking away from those who have more than we do; there is only discussion of helping the poor to have more.”

This made me think that when we daven The Sh’ma, and are given the Mitzvah of “Viahavta Es Hashem Elokecha B’chol L’vovicha, Uvichol Nafshecha , Uvichol M’odecha” it is a Mitzva firstly directed at the individual , (In all your heart, your Nefesh, and your possesions).

There is a system in which Hashem protects the efforts of those who pursue righteousness, and stores it for them to access. (Ohr Haganuz). There is a system of reward and punishment, commensurate with our efforts , intentions and actions. One can forfeit their place based on certain destructive actions. Torah provides a system of individual responsibility, respect which ultimately empowers us and is the opposite of oppression, stealing, and jealousy.

Therefore when performing the Mitzvah of Loving Hashem, we are given the opportunity to serve Him, to love Him, “with all of your heart, all your Nefesh, and all your Possessions”, we as individuals uniquely have, no matter what stage we are in life, or how different it is for me or for another.

Therefore using the concepts of the Mr. Chulsky’s post,  I now see  Shema, as my opportunity to firstly reassert and recognize all I am, and all I have is from My Creator, -“Hashem Echad”, as a fixing or healing of the oppression and sentiment of entitlement.

With that clarity  there is no threat to self, which sometimes leads to jealousy and stealing . I can then take responsibility for “all” Hashem gave to me, by appreciating , discovering and using “all”-My heart, “all”- My Nefesh, “all” My “M’odee” to Love Hashem.