You are Worth More Than GOLD

I grew up in the diamond business, in the world of fine gems. At age 18 I went to Geneva for the summer to work in the jewelry department of Christie’s Auction House. There I evaluated precious stones that were set in exquisite jewelry.

It feels like life times ago, and it was.

One thing I remember from my youth.

I remember the beauty of those gems. The sparkle, the colors, the glow.

The actual current monetary value of a diamond, a sapphire, a ruby, an emerald, or gold, this I could no longer tell you, but that the fact that these stones, yes, these rocks, have always, throughout history, throughout the world, have value, a lot of value. This, this stayed with me.

They are rocks that have…

Value enough that kings and queens wore them, sought them, and protected them.

Value enough that people would run away without anything except for them, if they could.

Value enough to use metaphorically universally for anything that is precious and dear.

Hashem comes to us in the desert and tells us to build Him a tabernacle (mishkan) where He will “dwell” amongst us. A “meeting place” between us and Him. He tells us to take gold and use it in the vessels of this meeting place, use it inside and outside to hold the “documentation”, the tablets which contain the testimony of a covenant between us and Him. Use it for the menorah, which is symbolic of Torah and wisdom. Use gold. Use precious stones, which will adorn the High Priest’s (Cohen haGadol) chest on the holiest day of the year.

Gems, gold-rocks and stones.

But these are not just any rocks or stones. Gold, precious stones, their worth depends on a few things. One, their rarity. Two, the fact that someone (usually an expert) can recognize their value. Three, their beauty, which comes with polishing, cutting, cleaning, taking care and hard work.

Otherwise, they are just rocks and stones.

So, yes Hashem tells us to take these objects and these will be used to connect us between us and Him?

Why? How?

Physically, yes at that time and space, but also symbolically for us for today.

Because the dwelling place of Hashem is really inside of us, in our bodies, which house our soul. And this Hashem tells us is valuable, it’s expensive, it’s precious. Adorn it, value it, know that it’s a rare commodity, recognize it’s worth and work hard to find it, refine it, polish it, discover the beauty of it. Beauty that is always there.

Anything that covers it up, prevents you from seeing it or discovering it; anything that gives you doubt or insecurity of that inner value must be wiped out (the numerical value of Amelek is doubt, as we are also in Parshat Zachor).

Let us look inside and may we see this valuable beauty inside of each and every one of us. Even when it seems at times that it’s just a rock, or a stone. We are not! We’re gold, precious gems that are at times buried or covered up. But it’s up to us to uncover, mine, and appreciate that valuable beauty.

Shabbat Shalom,

With blessings,

Elana