The Pele Yoetz, whose name was Rav Eliezer Papo, wrote many sefarim. One of them is called Orot Elim- Light of Rams. It’s a collection of quotes from different midrashim, Gemarot, and the Zohar, and after each quote, he adds a little musar, which is very valuable coming from this great rabbi. One of the quotes is a Gemara in Masechet Yoma, which says (38a),
There was a house of Bet Garmu, and a house of Bet Avtinas- these were different houses of people that worked in the Bet Hamikdash. One of them was involved in making the Ketoret/incense , and the other was involved in making the showbread. For whatever reason, the Hachamim wanted to demote these people due to concerns that they were doing it for the wrong reasons. The demotions didn’t last, however, because no one was able to duplicate what those families had done, and so they were reinstated.
After that story, the Gemara says, in the name of Ben Azai, a very powerful line
מִכָּאן אָמַר בֶּן עַזַּאי, בְּשִׁמְךָ יִקְרָאוּךָ,
In your name, they will call you,
וּבִמְקוֹמְךָ יוֹשִׁיבוּךָ
And in your seat they will place you,
And therefore, Rashi adds, a person shouldn’t worry and say, “So-and-so will take away my parnasa, because- against their will they will announce you by name and take you back to your spot”
In other words, this story shows that even if someone tries to ruin your livelihood, don’t worry. They’ll call you back. Just like in this story.
The Gemara continues:
, [שם ע"ב] וּמִשֶּׁלְּךָ יִתְּנוּ לְךָ,
And they will give you what’s yours
Don’t think that anyone that’s giving you a job or position is giving you a gift.
Rashi says they aren’t giving something that’s theirs, and it’s not a gift. They are giving you what God decided you should get.
And the final line is,
וְאֵין אָדָם נוֹגֵעַ בַּמּוּכָן לַחֲבֵרוֹ,
No one will touch what is set aside for you
וְאֵין מַלְכוּת נוֹגַעַת בַּחֲבֶרְתָּהּ - אֲפִלּוּ כִמְלֹא נִימָא.
And one kingdom does not touch the other kingdom, not even a hairsbreadth.
The Pele Yoetz then adds: If you want to have a loyal spirit and really rely on God, these words should be an ornament between your eyes (Just like tefilin is there all day to remind you of the important lessons of Yetziat Mitzrayim) and then, Sadik B’Emunato Yihyeh, you will live with Emuna.
We really must take this message to heart. Nobody can take what is yours. Stop looking at your competition, stop thinking that people are threatening your job or your shidduch. Nobody is threatening anything. It cannot happen. And if it seems that a person a successful, and seemingly demote you - it’s only for the moment, they will call you right back.
And anything that someone gives you, do not look at as a gift. You are getting what is yours and no one can touch what’s yours. Keep that in your mind at all times.
Then he continues and says, “My children, this trait of Emuna should be steadfast with nails (in other words, take this quote and nail it in) that there is no better Middah than this.
I could read the same Gemara myself, and think it is a nice Gemara, but the Pele Yoetz adds the extra personalization, so to say, which turns it into something very special.
I feel a special connection to Rav Eliezer Papo, because when I was a young boy, my father learned Pele Yoetz with me, and told me that his father used to learn Pele Yoetz with him with he was a child too. I actually went to his kever a few years ago, to pray there.
So while I may have a special affinity for Rav Eliezer Papo, I still think everyone can appreciate these wonderful words, and take this Gemara seriously, that no one can touch what’s yours.
Have a wonderful day.