The Legacy of the Rosh HaYeshiva, HaGaon HaRav Aharon Walkin ztk”l

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Holy Money

The Machatzit Hashekel was called the shekel hakodesh. Chazal say that at first, Moshe didn’t understand it, but then Hashem showed him a coin of fire, and then he understood. So, what does this mean?

I once proposed the following concept to R’ Shmuel Berenbaum which he enjoyed very much. Perhaps Moshe had difficulty with the juxtaposition of the words ‘shekel hakodesh’. Do we regard money as holy? Then, Hashem showed Moshe the special gelt of the Torah, because fire represents Torah, and this currency was the money that was discussed in parshat Mishpatim, and the g'marot of Bava Metzia, and Bava Kama. Fianlly, Moshe understood how one can have shekel hakodesh.

I was once walking behind Rav Ruderman and Rav Gifter in camp Torah V’das when I heard Rav Gifter relate to Rav Ruderman something quite special. He explained that when Reb Baruch Ber would talk about the kurkuvin (the gizzard of the animal), the rabbi would sanctify the item by calling it the “heiligeh kurkuvn”. Rav Ruderman took delight in this thought. The gizzards became holy because it was discussed in Torah.

I once saw a letter sent to my grandfather by a friend. In it advice was sought on whether he should proceed with a borderline shady business deal. My grandfather responded, "I’m surprised that you can even ask me such a question. We both sat together as talmidim of the Chafetz Chaim, and he instilled in us the core message of the importance of yashrut in business, meaning that one's actions are true to their inner knowledge. The Chafetz Chaim himself paid for a letter that he received where the postage had not been paid. This was ta’ut akum, a financial error of one who worships idols - from the cruel Russian regime, no less. And you ask me about this not-quite-honest business proposition?"

Based on the shiurim of Rav Aharon Walkin ztk”l delivered at the Chazaq Beit Midrash Bais Nosson Meir / Kollel Zichron Moshe V’Leah.