B"H
Wednesday, Shevat 3, 5783 (Hakhel Year) / January 25, 2023
In this week’s Parsha, Bo, we read about the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt.
Before bringing upon the Egyptians the final plague, G-d told Moshe, "I request that you speak to the people [of Israel] and tell them to borrow from their [Egyptian]neighbors silver and gold ornaments and clothes." The Torah continues, "And the children of Israel did as Moshe told them and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver and jewels of gold. And G-d gave the people favor in the eyes of the Egyptians and they lent them" (Exodus 12:35-36).
Q. The expression the Torah uses is "V'yishalu" - "they shall borrow." Why did G-d want them to take it as a loan? The Egyptians would have given it to them as a gift for, as the plague of the first-born was raging throughout Egypt, they were anxious that the Israelites leave as fast as possible.
A.By telling them to "borrow" the gold and silver, G-d wanted to teach them that one must consider wealth as a loan. Therefore, it must be used properly, and a percentage given to charity. For, if it is not used as G-d intended, He may at any time take it back, for it is with us only on loan!
A Jew became rich, and his lifestyle changed. Previously, he gave to charity, cared for others and helped them as much as he could. Now that he had become wealthy, he became hard-hearted and miserly. He was too busy with his business so he had no time for the poor anymore. The poor people complained to the rabbi. The rabbi decided to visit him.
The rich man showed off his beautiful home and boasted about his great wealth. The rabbi called him over to the window. Pointing outside, he asked the wealthy man, "What do you see?"
"I see poor people on the street trying to earn a living. I see poor people begging for help," he replied.
Walking over to a large mirror the rabbi told the rich man to look in. "Now what do you see?"
"I see myself, of course," he replied.
"I don't understand," said the rabbi. "Both the window and the mirror are made of glass. Yet, from the window you see the poor people outside but when you look at the mirror you see only yourself. Why?"
"The reason is simple!" said the rich man. "The mirror has a silver coating on the back which prevents you from seeing through. However, the window has no silver coating, so you can see through."
"Exactly!" the rabbi nodded. "It seems that when the silver gets in the way all you see is yourself! Maybe you'd be better off without the silver!” The rich man now got the message. He promised to improve his ways and he began giving to charity once again. Giving charity is showing our appreciation and saying, “Thank you G-d for all the good You have blessed me with.”
HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY