The Mishna famously comments, “The Almighty found no better receptacle to hold blessing than peace.” A person can purchase $250 worth of groceries in the supermarket, but they will not help him without bags with which to bring them home.

Somebody can offer us the most flavorful and highest quality wine in the world, but without a bottle we have no means of enjoying it.

The same is true of God’s blessings. Even if we are worthy of material blessings, they cannot come down from the heavens without some kind of receptacle. And the Sages teach us that the receptacle that holds the blessing of Parnasa, the conduit through which these blessings are sent to this world, is “Shalom,” peaceful relations. And the more peace a person achieves, the more “pipes” he makes available to bring down the “Shefa” God’s abundant blessings from the heavens.

It is therefore critical for us to include peace in our efforts to earn a livelihood – peace in our homes, families and communities – so that we will be able to bring God’s blessings upon us and experience prosperity and success.

Authored by Rabbi Eli J. Mansour