Thread by @DBashIdeas

🧵 On Gvir Culture™️

Recently there has been a lot of attention given to a trip advertised during yeshiva week that is being run by a dear friend as part of his efforts to normalize UA relations w Israel.

Personally, I have no issue with the trip. I originally planned on going bc it was a paid opportunity. I speak all over and for my time and travel get paid. This became tricky because it was during Yeshiva Break so instead of a paid opportunity it became a trip for me and w my… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Not exactly my idea of a vacation. I tried a Pesach Program once and didn’t repeat for the same reason.

So, I am actually *not* going on this trip but not bc I think it’s evil and not bc I think it’s awful. It’s just not my idea of a vacation. I’d rather go to my in-laws place… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Which brings me to Gvir Culture.

A while back I discussed Gvir culture on the Kosher Money podcast. Here’s a link:

I also did a series on wealth on @18_forty you can find here:

18forty.org/wealth/

I elaborated on Gvir Culture in an essay here:

18forty.org/articles/what-…

What I meant when I first used the term Gvir Culture™️ was not and has never been demonizing wealth, people who are wealthy, nice restaurants, Pesach programs. Nothing of the sort.

Within my very close family I have people who live *extremely* simply and I have those who are incredibly wealthy. I love them both. I have issues with neither.

Spending your time policing luxury and consumption is never what I have done and frankly is a symptom of the very culture I tried to call out.

A sense of pride for your own abilities, socio-economic status, and moving more internally is what this is all about.

Gvir Culture™️ is about understanding your own aspirations and making sure your financial needs, wants, aspirations, are aligned.

There are issues about the economics of Jewish life but restaurants, hotels and vacations were never my main concern. It was the pricing of the… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

I spend money personally on things that bring me joy (vacations happen not to be in that list—haven’t taken one in many years) and don’t spend money on things that don’t bring me joy.

Shouting at luxuries to me does not seem like a way to find peace for your own lifestyle.

I would strongly recommend reading @lukeburgis’s book Wanting which discusses mimetic desire.

You desire what you surround yourself with. My close friends have drastically different financial situations but we all love each other bc we all have a healthy relationship w $.

I don’t begrudge anyone who winces at advertisements for things they can’t afford.

Our reactions can be telling though.

If you are confident in your own lifestyle — again I’m talking about people whose basic needs are cared for — other people’s spending should rankle less if… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

I always feel bad if anyone feels betrayed by my associations but I still think no one should apologize for a luxury they allow themselves.

If someone saw me in a nice restaurant don’t scream “Gvir Culture” — it’s not the dunk you think it is. Though I pretty rarely go out to… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Wishing everyone the blessing wants and desires they hope for in their life.

May we have everything we want *and* want everything we have.

Bless up and have a great Shabbos!

The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing.

Enjoy a pic of my most luxurious vacation and dream destination.

Love to all. Stay positive, friends.