When you think of great Jewish inventions, do you think of the laser? Stainless steel? Google? What about Gefilte fish or the Crockpot? Yes, these are all wonderful Jewish inventions, but this week, we learn of the invention of an item many of us have in our earliest memories – the Tzedaka box! The Haftarah portion of Parshas Shekalim relates how King Yoash (who became king at the ripe old age of 7) admonished the Kohanim for not properly maintaining the Bais HaMikdash. To provide funds for its upkeep, he took a box, made a hole in its door, and voila! The Tzedaka box was born. When people came to the Temple, they would put money in the box and it would be used for maintenance and upkeep.
Why a door with a hole in it instead of an open box? Probably not to deter thieves, because it was situated at the Holy Temple. Rather, we may conjecture that the purpose of giving in this manner was a lesson in giving. When you give, don’t regret it or try to take it back. The money or kindnesses go one way, but they are always in safe-keeping. The benefit will remain long after the money is gone, so don’t try to go back on your gift. Also, when there’s a door on the box, we can’t see what’s inside. When we give, we shouldn’t try to determine if others have given or whether “enough” has been raised. We should focus on doing what we can to help, and not consider what others have done.
