Ayin Ha-Ra

I saw in a syndicated column over the past two weeks a daring attempt to offer "The Real Meaning of Ayin Hora." Finally, someone will explain this enigmatic concept to the confused public. In the first installment, the author offers the following explanation for ayin ha-ra:

The Rishonim tell us that if someone has a talent or an advantage over the average person and he flaunts it, people become upset and envious of him. Hashem sees this flaunting, and does not want this person to upset the natural flow of things, so He takes away that person's advantage. And if that gift is ingrained within the person, Hashem, chas v'shalo-m, takes the person away.

Unfortunately, the author fails to share with us his sources other than that they are Rishonim. But ayin ha-ra seems to come from flaunting one's talents or possessions. This is not a punishment for the flaunting, but a need to remove this potential for discontent from disrupting the pre-ordained flow of events. For some unexplained reason, flaunting is not covered by free will and therefore must be removed, even if it means killing the flaunter. I find this hard to accept (this explanation, not that there is such a concept of ayin ha-ra).

The author utilizes the concept of ayin ha-ra to explain many customs, such as not calling a father and son to the Torah consecutively and breaking a glass at a wedding. While these customs have other, primary reasons, the author assures us that ayin ha-ra is also an explanation (for the latter custom, he quotes the Sema as his source; does anyone know where that Sema is?). In fact, no less than one of the ten commandments - the prohibition of lo sahamod (do not covet) - is predicated on the issue of ayin ha-ra.

But wait! Does that mean that one should not speak to a crowd or be honored by a charitable organization? No, the author assures us. Because "when a person is doing a mitzvah he does not have to worry about Ayin Hora." Except, evidently, when that mitzvah is getting married or being called to the Torah.

And, of course, members of the tribe of Yosef need not worry about flaunting because, even if they do so, they are exempt from ayin ha-ra. Evidently, they do not disturb the "natural flow of things" as much as members of other tribes.

This two-part series explaining "The Real Meaning of Ayin Hara" has, I believe, only perpetuated the confusion it was trying to dispel. Additionally, the irony that the articles are set next to a picture of the author very piously wearing a tallis and tefillin was not lost on this reader. An honest, or even just coherent, attempt to tackle this difficult topic would be much more appreciated. The public needs to be educated towards intelligent and, dare I say it - rational, thought and not placated with meaningless citations that only serve to confuse when not adequately explained.