The Mishnah in Pirkeh Avot (5:19) draws a distinction between “the students of Avraham Avinu” and “the students of the evil man, Bilam.” The students of Avraham, the Mishnah teaches, are characterized by three qualities: עין טובה, רוח נמוכה, נפש שפלה . The students of Bilam, meanwhile, are characterized by the precise opposite qualities: עין רעה, רוח גבוהה, נפש רחבה . Let us explain these three qualities. עין טובה (literally, “good eye”) means looking positively upon other people, judging them favorably, and rejoicing over their success and achievements. The opposite, עין רעה , means viewing other people critically, and resenting their success and achievements, feeling that it is undeserved. רוח נמוכה (literally, “lowly spirit”) refers to humility, recognizing that we have faults, that we are imperfect, that we are not necessarily greater than other people. רוח גבוהה means just the opposite – feeling arrogant and superior to others. נפש שפלה (“lowly soul”) refers to contentment, feeling satisfied with what we have, and not that we need more to be happy. The opposite, נפש רחבה , means always needing more, never experiencing satisfaction. The Mishnah teaches that the students of Avraham Avinu, those who possess these three qualities, אוכלין בעולם הזה ונוחלים בעולם הבא – “they consume [their reward] in this world, and inherit [their share] in the world to come.” In other words, having these qualities yields benefits both in this world and the next. When a person is able to live contentedly, without feeling jealous or resentful of other people, life is so much better. He doesn’t just earn reward in the next world – his life in this world is enhanced. A person with an עין טובה , רוח נמוכה and נפש שפלה does not get uncomfortable by another person’s large house, luxury car, or expensive vacation. He does not feel upset by what others have that he doesn’t. He is happy and content with what he has. In our close-knit community, it is very easy for people to feel like “have nots” in comparison with others. We all know so many other people, and thus invariably, we know of people with more than we do. But we mustn’t ever feel like “have nots” – because nobody is a “have not.” We are all “haves”!! We all have so many blessings to be grateful for. We all have many reasons to feel happy and blessed. By appreciating all we have, we will not feel insecure or jealous of other people. G-d promised Avraham that he would be a blessing for the whole world ( ונברכו בך כל משפחות האדמה – Bereshit 12:3). Bilam, by contrast, was hired to place a curse of people; he was expect in cursing others. When we live humbly and contentedly, without jealousy, then we are a blessing to the people around us. But if we are dissatisfied, jealous and resentful, then we are just the opposite – we are like Bilam, who cursed others. As the bearers of the legacy of Avraham Avinu, let us always live by these qualities, and we will then truly be a source of blessing to our families, our community, and the entire world.