Tam and Chacham collected money to redeem hapless people from prison when their only “crime” was poverty. Sadly many people would fall behind in paying their debts and wealthy landowners would throw them into prison until someone redeemed them.

There was one particular wealthy merchant who would always contribute generously to have people released from captivity. When Tam and Chacham approached him on this one occasion, he was was surprised that they asked for a very large donation so they could redeem some unfortunate people out of prison.

When the wealthy merchant told his wife about the large sum Tam and Chacham sked for, she went and sold many of her diamonds as well as some of her other jewelry.

She then took the coins, polished them until they sparkled brightly, and sent them to Tam and Chacham, saying, “Among the donations to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) in the desert, there was gold, silver, and copper. But the only things that sparkled were the polished metal mirrors given by the women.”

The merchant’s wife was indeed an Eishes Chayil in that when she does something, it shines and sparkles. This is so for all matters relating to the home—such as hospitality and the children’s education. Although they can also be taken care of by the husband, only when they are done by the wife are they accomplished in the manner of shining sapphires, without any blockage of the divine light, which shines forth. Every person can elevate everyday actions into shining examples as they prepare for the World to Come, when all actions will be elevated.

There is a traditional concept of doing a mitzvah (deed) beautifully — lighting the Shabbos (Sabbath) candles, beautifying the Yom Tov (Holiday) table, or making Kiddush from a lovely cup and so on. By giving charity in such a beautiful way, the merchant’s wife showed that she was more concerned about the beauty of devotion than about the beauty of her personal appearance. The righteous women mentioned in the Torah who donated their mirrors to build the Mishkan (Tabernacle) also placed devotion to the Holy One, blessed be He above their looks. (see Exodus 38:8) The merchant’s wife reminded Tam and Chacham that although donations to the Tabernacle in the desert involved large amounts of precious metals, only the metal mirrors given by the women sparkled. Why? The metal of the mirrors sparkled because it was finely polished. That polishing signified the preciousness of the mitzvah to the giver. The merchant’s wife gave a large amount of money without begrudging it and considered the mitzvah of charity so precious that she actually polished the coins. When a person does mitzvahs (religious deeds) and makes contributions to help others in this selfless way, he also polishes his own soul.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Tell it to your children, and let your children tell it to their children, and their children to the next generation. (Joel 1:3)

Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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