We know that זהב וכסף ונחשת, gold, silver and copper were donated to the Mishkan. The Baalei Hatosafos comment on that these three correspond to the three types of tzedakah givers. The first kind is one who gives when he is healthy and well which is the optimum. Then there is a person who gives when he is ill and another type of person who gives after he passes away.
The first type who gives when he is well is hinted to in the word זהב which serves as an acronym for ז ה הנותן בריא, one who gives when he is healthy. The next one, a person who gives when he is sick, is hinted to in the word כסף. This word stands for כשראה סכנה פ ותח, when he sees his health is in danger he opens his hand and gives. The last type is an individual who gives after he passes away. This is alluded to in the word נחשת which is abridged for נדבת חולה שאומר תנו, the pledge of an ill person who says that his money should be given to others after he passes away.
Rabbi Alt merited to learn under the tutelage of R’ Mordechai Friedlander ztz”l for close to five years and received semichah from R’ Zalman Nechemia Goldberg ztz”l. Rabbi Alt has written on numerous topics for various websites and publications and is the author of eight books including the recently released “Unbelievable Insights about Moshiach and the Final Redemption.” His writings, many of which have been translated into Yiddish, Hebrew, German and French, inspire people across the spectrum of Jewish observance to live with the vibrancy and beauty of Torah. His shiurim can be found on various websites including Kol Halashon’s. Rabbi Alt lives with his wife and family in Kiryat Yearim (where the Aron was for 20 years [Shmuel 1, 7:1,2]) where he studies, lectures, writes and teaches. The author is passionate about teaching Jews of all levels of observance.
Tangentially, in Japan there is a structured self-reflection technique called “Naikan.” During their daily meditation, they ask themselves three questions. 1) What have I received from others? 2) What have I given to others? 3) What troubles and difficulties have I caused others?
Shemos 25:3.
