אִ֣ישׁ אֱ֭מוּנוֹת רַב־בְּרָכ֑וֹת וְאָ֥ץ לְ֝הַעֲשִׁ֗יר לֹ֣א יִנָּקֶֽה׃
L’homme loyal est comblé de bénédictions; qui a hâte de s’enrichir n’échappe pas au malheur.
Rabbeinu Bahya
In our portion the Torah speaks about the נחושת התנופה, that the total quantity of copper donated for the Tabernacle was some 70 talents plus 2400 shekel in weight. We learn from these details that Moses gave an exact accounting to the people concerning everything which had been contributed. He handed over everything to Ittamar who was appointed assistant treasurer so that he himself could not be suspected of having held back anything for himself seeing he was in sole charge
The Midrash in Shemot Rabbah 51,1 states that the description (Proverbs 28,20) “a faithful man will enjoy many blessings; but he who is too eager to become rich will not go unpunished,” applies to Moses and Korach respectively. Of the former G’d Himself said “he is trustworthy in My entire house,” (Numbers 12,7).”He enjoyed many blessings,” means that Moses was the instrument through whom Israel received many blessings He became the treasurer of the Tabernacle’s funds. The words: “he is too eager to become rich,” refer to Korach who was not content with the distinction of being a Levite but wanted to become a priest also. Due to this greed, he did not go “unpunished,” but the earth opened up and swallowed him and all his riches (Numbers 16,32).
Just as a person must be able to face G’d with a clear conscience, so it is important to appear unblemished in the eyes of the people. When addressing this subject our sages in Shekalim 3,2 postulate that the donors when delivering their mandatory contribution must not enter the office designated for receiving same while wearing clothes which could conceal any money in its folds, etc., in order that in the event such people become wealthy sometime afterwards they could not be accused of having helped themselves to money stored in that office. Even if such a person was a wealthy man he is not allowed to wear this kind of clothing so that should he become poor afterwards people might say that he was being punished for misappropriating funds from that office. People must always be on guard to conduct themselves in such a fashion that they do not arouse suspicions in their fellowmen that they have been guilty of some misdemeanor. David already prayed to G’d that this should not happen to him when he said (Samuel II 22,44) ”You have saved me from the strife of peoples.” There is an even more specific verse in the Torah concerning this subject in Numbers 32,27: “you will be clear before the Lord and before Israel.” We also have an explicit verse about this subject in Proverbs 3,4: “and you will find favor and high esteem in the eyes of G’d and man.”
The Midrash in Shemot Rabbah 51,1 states that the description (Proverbs 28,20) “a faithful man will enjoy many blessings; but he who is too eager to become rich will not go unpunished,” applies to Moses and Korach respectively. Of the former G’d Himself said “he is trustworthy in My entire house,” (Numbers 12,7).”He enjoyed many blessings,” means that Moses was the instrument through whom Israel received many blessings He became the treasurer of the Tabernacle’s funds. The words: “he is too eager to become rich,” refer to Korach who was not content with the distinction of being a Levite but wanted to become a priest also. Due to this greed, he did not go “unpunished,” but the earth opened up and swallowed him and all his riches (Numbers 16,32).
Just as a person must be able to face G’d with a clear conscience, so it is important to appear unblemished in the eyes of the people. When addressing this subject our sages in Shekalim 3,2 postulate that the donors when delivering their mandatory contribution must not enter the office designated for receiving same while wearing clothes which could conceal any money in its folds, etc., in order that in the event such people become wealthy sometime afterwards they could not be accused of having helped themselves to money stored in that office. Even if such a person was a wealthy man he is not allowed to wear this kind of clothing so that should he become poor afterwards people might say that he was being punished for misappropriating funds from that office. People must always be on guard to conduct themselves in such a fashion that they do not arouse suspicions in their fellowmen that they have been guilty of some misdemeanor. David already prayed to G’d that this should not happen to him when he said (Samuel II 22,44) ”You have saved me from the strife of peoples.” There is an even more specific verse in the Torah concerning this subject in Numbers 32,27: “you will be clear before the Lord and before Israel.” We also have an explicit verse about this subject in Proverbs 3,4: “and you will find favor and high esteem in the eyes of G’d and man.”