ציטירנדיקער פּירוש אויף משלי 17:3

Wir haben in unseren Erörterungen, Jeschurun V. S. 232 ff. nachgewiesen, wie in תנ׳׳ך Metalle überhaupt ihrer stofflichen Kohärenz zufolge als Metapher der Festigkeit und Stärke (z. B. Jeremias 1, 15; Job 6, 12 u. Jesaias 48, 4), hinsichtlich ihres Wertes als Ausdruck der Wertschätzung geistiger Güter (z. B. Prov. 2, 10; Ps. 19, 11 u. Job 28), ganz besonders aber wegen ihrer metallurgischen Eigenschaften als die treffendste Metapher für alles Sittliche und Wahre in allen Abstufungen der Mischung mit sittlich Schlechtem und Unwahrem, sowie für den ganzen Prüfungs- und Läuterungsprozess im Gebiete der Sittlichkeit und Wahrheit vorkommen (z. B. Job 23, 10; Secharja 13, 9; Maleachi 3, 3; Pro. 17, 3; Jesaias 48, 10; Prov. 25, 4. 10, 20 u. 26, 23; Jeremias 6, 29 u. 30; Ps. 119, 119; Jecheskeel 22, 18; Jesaias 1, 22; Daniel 2, 32 u. 33). In allen diesen Stellen charakterisieren Metalle die verschiedenen Grade der sittlichen Reinheit und Wahrheit, und, während Kupfer das Unedle, die noch unveredelte Natur, repräsentiert, Silber die läuterungsbedürftige und läuterungsfähige Stufe bezeichnet, ist Gold, das vorzugsweise gediegen gefunden wird und andererseits die stärkste Probe aushält, Bild des reinsten, gediegensten, sittlichen Adels und der treuen echten Beständigkeit.

“You have designated her for Your servant, for Isaac.” Rashi explains that she is suitable for him as she performs acts of kindness. This passage is juxtaposed with the story of Ephron the Hittite because he too was from the seed of Canaan, as it is said And Canaan begot Sidon his firstborn, and Heth (Genesis 10:15). And Ephron was evil-eyed [stingy]; therefore [Abraham] commanded to distance themselves from the Canaanites who are possessors of the evil eye, for money answers and testifies to everything, and every person is recognized by his pocket [financial dealings] whether his actions are pure and upright. There is no better crucible and test for a person than silver and gold, as Solomon said The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold (Proverbs 17:3). For one who wishes to test and examine a person should look to [their] money and see what their nature is, and similarly the furnace to test a person — go to gold and see how the person conducts themselves with it. For if one maintains their righteousness in monetary matters, in all wisdom it will be revealed that they are complete, and vice versa. From here Eliezer learned to test Rebecca only in this quality — whether she has a good eye [generosity] and performs acts of kindness. Therefore he said, “I will only ask her for a drink, and if she responds ‘drink, and I will also water your camels,’ then surely she is one who performs acts of kindness as she will give more than what I ask for.” And if so, You have designated her for Your servant, for Isaac, for his entire household is clothed in garments of salvation for others [i.e., dedicated to helping others].

'מצרף לכסף וכור לזהב ובוחן לבות ה', “the crucible is for silver, the furnace for gold, but G’d examines the hearts.” (Proverbs 17,3)