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One of the first lessons we learn is the prohibition of taking a bribe. For no matter how schooled we may be in proper conduct, a bribe preys upon our basest instincts & has the ability to skew our moral compass. Pointedly, the pasuk warns us that a bribe "blinds the eyes of the wise & perverts the words of the righteous. The clear implication is that no matter how wise or righteous one may be, he is never immune to the awesome, seductive power of money.
This idea is hinted at in the very Hebrew word for money, "kesef." It is quite similar to the word, "kishuf," which means "magic" or "sorcery." There is a mysterious, mystical, almost magical power that money has, often turning the most law-abiding, straight-shooting, rational person into a scoundrel who will sell out his community, his principles, even his own family for illicit gain.
The unit of money most often referred to in Jewish life is the shekel. That word is connected to "mishkal," weight, because at one time the weight of the coin – be it silver, gold or copper – determined its value.
But shekel is also connected to the word, "shikul," which means to evaluate or consider. Not so much to value something, but to evaluate it. That is, we should always weigh the pros & cons of money-related issues, & consider what we gain or lose from the actions we are about to take, or the money we are about to make.
When Hashem gave Moshe the law of machazit ha-shekel, the obligatory half-shekel donation that was given by everyone in the nation, Moshe was baffled. "How can something which is meant to ‘save our souls’ be effected via that which is so often the root of all evil - money?" he asked. So G-d showed Moshe a fiery coin & taught him, "Like fire, money can be used to create or destroy. It can be a source of greed, or help others in their need. It can make things burn, or assist others to learn. The choice is in the hands of the owner, & so this is one of the great tests of Man."
Life, you might say, is like a coin. It has two sides to it, two faces. The side that we choose is ultimately the face that we wear.
Rabbi Stewart Weiss
Was ordained at the Hebrew Theological College in Skokie, Illinois, and led congregations in Chicago and Dallas prior to making Aliyah in 1992. He directs the Jewish Outreach Center in Ra'anana, helping to facilitate the spiritual absorption of new olim.
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
