The Poverty of Israel
Said the Lubliner: "The Talmud tells us that 'poverty becomes Israel like a red ribbon becomes a white horse" (Hagigah 9). WHen the horse is for sale, the owner decorates him to please the eye of the purchaser. Likewise when Jews look poor, it pleases non-Jews, and they do not do us any harm because of envy."
Source: Niflaoth ha-Hozeh
