By Rabbi Eli Friedman
Originally, the answer was between $5 billion and $20 billion.
The question I posed to ChatGPT was: What might the Temple Menorah be worth today?
First approximately $3 million.
Second answer: Considering its extraordinary craftsmanship, between $50 million and $200 million.
Third answer: As a historical treasure, between $500 million and $2 billion.
Finally, considering its religious significance, between $5 billion and $20 billion. Effectively priceless.
Very impressive.
But then I asked the robot another question. What if we include the Jewish tradition that the Menorah was so difficult to construct that even Moses struggled, and ultimately G-d Himself made it?
ChatGPT responded, “Ah.” Such a Talmudic response!
It explained that once something is believed to have been created by G-d Himself, ordinary economics no longer apply.
Its value? “Effectively trillions — functionally infinite.” Talk about growing your money!
Think about it. Ordinary gold, transformed into something priceless.
And therein lies a beautiful lesson about what we do with the blessings G-d places in our hands.
The Menorah was fashioned from one solid piece of gold. Its branches, flowers, and ornaments could not be made separately and then attached. Everything had to be hammered from one piece. Different branches. Different shapes. One magnificent whole.
Why? Because the Menorah represents the extraordinary power of unity.
And here comes the practical lesson. answer: As pure gold,
G-d blesses each of us with resources, some more, some less. The question is what we choose to do with them.
Because everything in life carries an energy. Money is no exception.
Money used to create conflict carries one kind of energy. Money used to heal, uplift, and unite carries something entirely different.
Think about it.
A dollar can feed resentment or nourish friendship. It can build a wall between people or open a door between hearts.
The amount is identical. The spiritual impact is worlds apart. And that is where the real value begins.
Invest in things that bring people together. Support projects that create friendship, kindness, and community. Help heal divisions rather than deepen them.
A thousand dollars that creates lasting friendships may accomplish something worth millions.
And the goodness generated by those friendships can continue spreading, touching lives we may never meet.
That is the beautiful mystery of goodness. It multiplies without diminishing. The more light we share, the more light there is.
The Menorah teaches us that unity is not merely a beautiful ideal. It is a Divine energy capable of transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary.
So invest in goodness. Invest in kindness. Invest in people who bring people together. Help repair a world too often divided by conflict.
Create warmth where there is loneliness, friendship where there is distance, and light where there is darkness.
Turn extraordinary blessings. Transform something valuable into something priceless.
And watch your money grow.
Better yet, watch your money glow. ordinary resources into