PARSHAS KI TSISA

Good Shabbos.  With the holiday of Purim comes the age old question, what is best, quality or quantity?  Should one fill a basket with all types of candies and foods or should they pick two or three elegant items and send that instead?  I looked to the portion to gain insight and understanding. 

In today’s Torah portion we read of the sin of the Golden Calf.  Moshe comes down from the mountain with the Ten Commandments in his hand and sees his beloved nation worshipping the idol.  He breaks the tablets and then goes about seeking atonement for the errant Israelite nation. 

The portion introduces the concept that a person can contribute money to the Temple as a “Kofer Nafsho” - an atonement of his soul”.  Moshe was perplexed.  How could one atone for a sin as grave as idolatry by simply making a donation to the Temple?  How much money would it take to buy one’s way into G-d’s favor?  Would it be ten gold pieces or a hundred, or even a thousand?  Obviously, it would be a great bargain at whatever price G-d might demand.   

G-d then showed Moshe the image of a coin of fire in the amount of a half shekel and said, “Zeh Yitnu” - this is what you shall give as a portion unto G-d.  The lesson here is obvious.  To G-d, the quantity of the donation was not to be emphasized but rather the quality of the offering. 

It seems to me that G-d has shown this to Moshe time and time again.  When Moshe was first told to build the Tabernacle in the desert our Sages tell us that Moshe trembled in fear.  Moshe was at a loss as to how it was possible to build a home big enough and great enough to house the presence of an unlimited and infinite G-d. 

G-d answered.  “Lo Lefi Kochi Ani Mevakaish - not according to My capacity do I ask you to build this house, but rather according to the ability I have given you as a mortal.  The sanctuary should be 20 planks to the north, 20 planks to the south and 8 planks to the west.  G-d wasn’t interested in quantity. He wanted something else.  He wanted quality. 

Inside the Temple there was a daily sacrifice which was offered to G-d each morning and each evening.  It was referred to as “Korbani Lachmi” - G-d’s daily bread offering.  This time too, Moshe could not understand: how many animals would it take to satisfy the hunger of G-d?  How great of a sacrifice would be required to be considered the bread of G-d?  At that point G-d instructed him.  “Keves Echad” - a single lamb in the morning and a single lamb in the evening.  Again, it is not about the quantity but about the quality of the offering. 

Society tells us that more equals better.  More money.  More homes.  More cars.  More clothes.  More things means more happiness.  The lesson from our portion may be quite the opposite.  A smaller quantity of something of a much higher quality might indeed be more satisfying.  Is it not true?  A single piece of creamy chocolate may create a memory and a positive taste that could not be matched by many bars of a lesser quality substitute. 

A few moments spent with a child - talking to them, listening to them and sharing with them may be much better than many more hours spent sitting next to them at a movie.  A relatively short time of “restful” sleep will almost always be more refreshing than many hours of “restless” or interrupted sleep.  A short time catching up with a spouse of the events of their day will surely carry more meaning than hours of time wasted away in front of the television. 

The portion is teaching that in the pursuit of quantity we run the risk of cheating ourselves out of quality.  This is not to say that quantity is bad.  More money.  More smiles.  More hugs.  And, of course, attending more prayer services are all good things and should be done in great quantity.  However, when faced with the choice of a single passionate embrace or meaningful smile as opposed to a continuous yet hollow similar expression throughout the day, quality wins over quantity every time.  Ultimately, it is not about how long you live or how much you have but rather about how well you make each moment count. 

When G-d showed Moshe the half shekel coin of fire and said “Through a coin like this the Jews will receive atonement”, the message may have been as follows.  Fire symbolizes passion and enthusiasm.  If you are passionate and enthusiastic in your relationship with G-d, then G-d promises to accept your offerings and forgive any and all indiscretions. 

May we always serve with a burning flame of passionate love and may G-d grant us total atonement and bless us with His most bountiful blessings, and let us say Amen.