KI SISA:
DVAR TORAH-
The Midrash tells us that in order to explain the Mitzva of the Shekalim, H-shem took out a coin of fire from underneath the Kisei HaKavod and showed it to Moshe.
Rav Elyashiv asks two questions on this.
1) Had Moshe Rabbeinu never seen a coin in his life? Why was this demonstration needed?
2) What exactly is Hashem doing with coins under the Kisei HaKavod, and what is the significance of them being coins of fire?
He answers with a Tosfos in Chulin (42a), that says that Moshe couldn't understand how money, the most earthly of all creations, can save someone's soul. (Kofer Nefesh). Therefore H-shem showed him a coin. Which coin? The Gemara in Bava Basra (11a) says that during a hunger year, Munbaz HaMelech emptied out his treasure chest to feed the poor people. His family became extremely upset with him for squandering the royal wealth. To this he replied that he is not losing the money, he saving the money up in Shamayim, in a place where it will last forever while they squander money down on earth where it will eventually disappear.
Rav Elyashiv says these are the coins that H-shem took out to show Moshe. The coins that are given for Tzedaka with Mesiras Nefesh are precious and are saved by H-shem under the Kisei HaKavod. Moshe understood that coins are made of destructive fire. They cause jealousy, cheating, stealing, and murder. H-shem showed him that coins can be made out of productive fire. Coins given for Tzedaka can light the world and warm it with their "Holy fire". It was on these coins that H-shem said "Kazeh Yitnu".
DVAR TORAH-
The Midrash tells us that in order to explain the Mitzva of the Shekalim, H-shem took out a coin of fire from underneath the Kisei HaKavod and showed it to Moshe.
Rav Elyashiv asks two questions on this.
1) Had Moshe Rabbeinu never seen a coin in his life? Why was this demonstration needed?
2) What exactly is Hashem doing with coins under the Kisei HaKavod, and what is the significance of them being coins of fire?
He answers with a Tosfos in Chulin (42a), that says that Moshe couldn't understand how money, the most earthly of all creations, can save someone's soul. (Kofer Nefesh). Therefore H-shem showed him a coin. Which coin? The Gemara in Bava Basra (11a) says that during a hunger year, Munbaz HaMelech emptied out his treasure chest to feed the poor people. His family became extremely upset with him for squandering the royal wealth. To this he replied that he is not losing the money, he saving the money up in Shamayim, in a place where it will last forever while they squander money down on earth where it will eventually disappear.
Rav Elyashiv says these are the coins that H-shem took out to show Moshe. The coins that are given for Tzedaka with Mesiras Nefesh are precious and are saved by H-shem under the Kisei HaKavod. Moshe understood that coins are made of destructive fire. They cause jealousy, cheating, stealing, and murder. H-shem showed him that coins can be made out of productive fire. Coins given for Tzedaka can light the world and warm it with their "Holy fire". It was on these coins that H-shem said "Kazeh Yitnu".