A Fiery Coin

A fire started in the building and the first thing that the owner did was start taking apart the stairs. A lady asked him what he was doing, and he simply pointed to the sign that said “in the event of a fire, take the stairs”.

Moshe was astounded when G-d instructed the Jews to each bring a half-shekel as an "atonement for their souls," and he questioned how the half-shekel, which they were forced to bring, could atone for the sin of the Golden Calf.

In order to explain this to Moshe, G‑d showed Moshe a ‘coin of fire’ that He had taken from under His Throne of Glory.

G-d was showing Moshe that just like fire starts as a small flicker, but can grow to a great fiery bonfire, so too, with a Jew’s will. A Jew only needs to exert a tiny amount of effort, and G-d will assist it to burst forth and materialize beyond his wildest expectations.

Candle lighting time in NYC is at 5:39 PM.

Shabbat Shalom!