HOW VALUABLE IS MONEY?
As we are currently in the interim between Pesach and Shavuous we find our-selves counting the Omer from day one moving up to day 49 after which we celebrate Shavuous. The idea of counting every day reflects our anticipation for the great day on which HaShem will give us the Torah. Although normally one counts down to the day of great anticipation we count up. The reason for this is parallel to the counting that the chosson and kallah count towards their wedding day. Before the couple counts down to the wedding day there are prerequisites that need to be put in order. They need a venue, a caterer, a band, a florist, a photographer, a videographer and so on. Only after those needs are in order can they begin to count down. So we can actually call the days preceding the countdown as the count up where they collect all the necessary components to make the wedding.
Once we left Egypt we were on target to receive the Torah from HaShem. However, before we could receive the Torah there were 48 necessary requirements. Those are the 48 qualities that are enumerated in Pirkei Avos which are required to acquire Torah.
The function of the counting the 49 days before Shavuous is not the count down but rather the count up. Every day reflects achieving another quality so that after all these days have passed we will then be ready to receive HaShem’s Torah.
The Maharal asks why are there 49 days if there are only 48 qualities to collect? The answer he offers opens up a window into appreciating the perspective of the Jew on life and its value.
The Mishna in Pirkei Avos teaches us that if there is no bread there is no Torah. Before we can begin to start our collection of qualities with which to acquire Torah we must first have bread. The first day of the count is the second day of Pesach on which we bring the Omer offering. Only after the Omer offering is presented may we eat from the new produce. The first day of the Omer count reflects this very important lesson; we must have a source of livelihood in order to acquire Torah.
The Maharal continues his thought with the following question. Why are we not permitted to eat from the new produce before Pesach? Why must we wait for Pesach to occur and only then begin using the new produce?
That same Mishna in Pirkei Avos teaches us that if there is no Torah there is no bread. If the acquisition of Torah is not possible then there is no need for bread. In other words, there is no point in living without the ability of acquiring Torah. Without Torah life is meaningless so who needs bread?
Until we experience the exodus from Egypt and we are finally able to free ourselves from the shackles of slavery to begin thinking about becoming the carriers of the Torah, there is no purpose for bread. Therefore, immediately upon our exodus, on the very next day we open up the storehouses of the new produce to begin eating and living for the purpose of becoming the bearers of the Torah.
Hence, the Torah’s perspective on money is that it is absolutely necessary for one to pursue earning a livelihood but only for the purpose of living a Torah life. If life becomes devoid of Torah, money has no value.
My grandfather, Reb Yaakov Kamenetsky, once told me that our relationship to money can be captured with this under-standing; Without money one cannot live but the one who loves it is doomed.
Have a very wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind