בס''ד
A
visual presentation is always a worthy addition to enhance any transmission of
new information to one previously unacquainted with this knowledge. Hashem appears to utilise this method in this
week’s Parsha, specifically of interest to us, in regard to the half a shekel
that was required from every male above the age of twenty, in order to
formulate a census. The Medrash tells us
that in order to demonstrate to Moshe what must be collected, Hashem took a
coin of fire from under His throne and showed it to him as an example. Leaving aside why Hashem felt it necessary to
pictorially explain what a coin was, we will concentrate on why this coin was
depicted specifically as one of fire.
The
nature of fire is such that the way it is utilised defines it as either a
tremendous gift, to those that wield its power constructively, or a terrible
force of evil to those that harness its destructive properties. Money, explains the Noam Elimelech, mirrors
this quality in much the same way. Used
correctly with prudence and as a means to improve the lives of others, it has
the potential for incredible good. Used inappropriately
to glorify oneself or as an instrument for unnecessary and excessive indulgence
it is a vehicle for spiritual negativity.
This was the message being conveyed to Moshe by this vision of a coin of
fire.
In
Jewish thought there is a maxim that everything has an exactly parallel
potential for good as it does for bad.
Something that has a huge capacity for positivity must have an equal and
opposite possibility of being used for negativity. This is evidenced by the aforementioned
examples of money and fire, but is equally true of many of today’s advances in
technology. As a force for good, they
have unparalleled capabilities, but along with that must necessarily come a
power to bring about damage beyond compare.
Facing up to this fact with true intellectual honesty is the only means
by which we can ensure ourselves and those we love are protected from those
elements that are so tremendously harmful, whilst being able to harness those
aspects that can produce so much good.
Not to acknowledge its benefits is foolhardy, but to ignore its dangers
is to play with fire.
*May the fire of Shabbos ignite our
neshomos and warm our lives*
לעילוי נשמת לאה בת אברהם
לרפואה שלימה: שרה יעל בת
ברכה אסתר
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