(יד ז) “קטרת מלאה זהב עשרה אחת כף”
From this passuk, the Rishonim bring a source for the words of Chazal (Chulin 87a) that the value of each brachah is ten gold coins, and they explain this in two ways:
The Ohr Zarua explained: The Ketores is considered like a brachah (see Yeshayahu 66:3) and from the fact that the Torah instructed to take the ketoress in a spoon whose value is ten gold coins, we learn that the value of each brachah is ten golden coins.
However, the Baalei Hatosafos explain this differently: ף“כ is numerically equivalent to 100. Each אחת of the ף“כ brachos that we are instructed to recite each day is worth “asarah zahav.” The words מלאה קטרת are explained by the Baalei Hatosafos as follows: When a person merits to fill each כף, meaning that he completes the quota of 100 brachos a day, then the world is filled with ketoress.
Based on this, the Chida adds: The numerical value of the words כף אחת עשרה זהב is 1098. This alludes that one who is strict about כף brachos earns each day a sum of one thousand golden coins, and is spared from the judgement of Gehinnom, which, when written chaser, without a vav – גהנם -- is numerically equivalent to 98.
Ohr Zarua 399; Hadar Zekeinim; Pnei Dovid
