120 Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12–11:25), Source Book Keys, TZADIK DEUTERONOMY | 8:17 my — DEUT392 [There are five categories of mockers]. (... DEUT392 [There are five categories of mockers]. (2) One who mocks others because he despises them for not having succeeded as he did in the acquisition of wealth and honor. And he despises the poor, not in that he imputes any imperfection to them, but in that they are despicable in his eyes. And this stems from pride, or sometimes from tranquility and an abundance of pleasure, as it is written (Tehillim 123:4): Our souls are full sated with a mockery of those who are at ease with the contempt of the proud oppressors," indicating that the tranquil ones are mockers of Israel. And sometimes in the abundance of their tranquility they mock the righteous and the prophets, as it is written (Yirmeyahu 20:7): "They all mock me." And it is written (Mishlei 17:5): "He who mocks the poor man blasphemes his Maker." That is, he who mocks the poor man because he is poor, considering him poor because of his lack of wisdom, and himself rich as a result of his wisdom, as it is written [this verse]: "My power and the might of my hand has gave me this wealth" – – such a mocker blasphemes the Blessed One, for all is the work of the Blessed One, as it is written (Mishlei 22:2): "The rich and the poor have met – – Hashem has made them all." He is, therefore, mocking the handiwork of Hashem. Share Print Source KeyTZADIKVerse8:17Keyword(s)mySource Page(s)375 Switch article DEUTERONOMY | 8:17 my — DEUT393 Ben Bag-Bag said: Turn and turn about in ... Previous Article DEUTERONOMY | 8:17 own — DEUT398 … with a growing knowledge of Torah, a pe... Next Article