Parsha Math: Coinage
דברים יב, כ
כִּי-יַרְ חִּיב ה' אֱלֹק יךָ אֶת-גְבֻלְךָ כַאֲשֶר דִּ בֶר-לָךְ וְאָמַרְ תָ אֹכְלָה בָשָר כִּי-תְאַוֶה נַפְשְךָ לֶאֱכֹל בָשָר בְכָל-אַוַת נַפְשְךָ תֹאכַל בָשָר:
The Tosefta Arochin 4:10 says in the name of Rabbi Elozor ben Azarioh that he who has 100 "monoh," may eat a "litra" of meat daily.
Problem 1: How many zuzim in 100 monoh?
How did Rabbi Elozor ben Azarioh arrive at this figure in order to eat meat? The Mordechai on the first chapter of Baba Basra says that 200 "zuzim" are a sufficient amount for a couple to live on for a year. We may assume that this is a bare minimum since if they had one "zuz" less, they are considered destitute. Thus for one person, 100 "zuzim" are needed per year for basic existence.
Problem 2: 200 zuzim are for two people; how many for one person?
The average life-span of a person is 70 years (T'hilim 90:10);
Problem 3: Minimum for a person for a lifetime?
Our verse says that "when HaShem broadens your border," when He gives you an abundance of income, then it is appropriate for you to request meat as your fare. What is considered a broadening of income? We find this term used right in our verse referring to broadening our borders. This means that besides the land of the seven nations occupying Eretz Yisroel, HaShem will also eventually give us the land of the three nations, Keini, K'nizi, and Kadmoni. We see from this that broadening (an abundance) is increasing from 7 to 10. Similarly we can consider one's income as broadened when one has every seven "zuzim" increased to 10 "zuzim."
Problem 4: Increase minimum (#3) from 7 to 10
This is why Rabbi Elozor ben Azarioh said that if one has 100 "monoh," it is appropriate for him to consume meat daily.
Problem 5: 100 monoh equals how many zuzim?
Monoh, a unit of money that is equal to 100 "zuzim” Mishnoh in Pei'oh 8:8 states that one who has 200 "zuzim" should not take charity, as he is not considered a poor man, an "oni."
COINAGE IN THE TIMES OF CHAZA”L
1 monoh מנה = 25 sela סלע = 50 shekel שקל = 100 zuz/dinar זוז – דינר = 600 meah מעה = 1200 pundyon פונדיון = 2400 isar איסר = 19,200 perutah פרוטה
Pure Science
Two sages of Chelm got involved in a deep philosophical argument.
"Since you're so wise," said one, sarcastically, "try to answer this question: Why is it that when a slice of buttered bread falls to the ground, it's bound to fall on the buttered side?"
But as the other sage was a bit of a scientist he decided to disprove this theory by a practical experiment. He went and buttered a slice of bread. Then he dropped it.
"There you are!" he cried triumphantly. "The bread, as you see, hasn't fallen on its buttered side at all. So where is your theory now? "
"Ho-ho!" laughed the other, derisively. "You think you're smart! You buttered the bread on the wrong side!"
Age group – 10 years and up
Objective of this lesson:
Appreciate math in the Parsha
Introduction to concepts within Judaism of unit values of coins
