Getting the Green-Back

by Rabbi Mordechai Rhine

Pharoh was excited. The identity of his admired viceroy was finally discovered. Yosef’s family was from a very different culture. They had different customs, a different outlook on life, and a totally different religion. Yet, the discovery of his family was momentous nonetheless. Pharoh invited Yosef’s family to relocate to his land.

In an unusual gesture of generosity Pharoh declared, “Don’t bother bringing all of your belongings. The prosperity of the land is open to you.”

The commentaries explain that Pharoh had heard how on a previous occasion Yakov had gone back for small jugs. Pharoh’s message was, “You can leave things behind. Don’t be so thrifty. Whatever you leave behind we will gladly replace for you.”

The contrast between Yakov’s perspective, and Pharoh’s, is striking. In Pharoh’s mind belongings were merely functional. To Pharoh, to keep or not keep an item, was a decision of “dollars and cents”. He did not see the need to pay attention to the belongings because they could simply be replaced. Yakov, however, sees something deeper.  The value that Yakov attached to his belongings was not limited to its financial value. Even if an item could be easily replaced, Yakov would still savor and treasure it. Yakov sees his belongings as a gift from G-d.

I once witnessed how an elderly Jew disposed of his threadbare sweater. He folded it neatly and respectfully, then placed it into a bag to throw it out. I marveled at his sensitivity even as he disposed the item. In his mind, the sweater was a gift from G-d. It had served him well and “trashing” it callously was inappropriate.

A similar respect exists regarding food items. Take bread, for example. We will not leave it lying on the floor.  In some Jewish communities if bread falls on the floor, they will actually kiss it when they pick it up. Food has the ability to keep a person alive. We recognize it as a gift from G-d.

In a similar vein, an older man once asked me to pick some coins off the floor. I thought he wanted them. So I picked them up and tried to hand them to him. “No, they’re not mine,” he said, “but someone earned them; someone can be helped by them. It is improper to leave them lying on the floor.”

Does this mean that we can never throw anything out? Of course it doesn’t. But even when we do throw something out, we do so with deliberation.

Similarly, recycling, and fixing things instead of trashing them, is a consideration worth paying attention to. Because, ultimately, savoring our assets isn’t simply about saving money and the almighty dollar. Savoring our assets is a precious way of enjoying the blessings of life, and experiencing G-d’s loving Hand in our daily lives.

With best wishes for a wonderful Shabbos.

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