From our learning in the past, we knew about these two models, the model of precious metals: gold, silver, and copper, and we knew the model of good, pleasant, and useful. But we did not know that they should be connected and the correspondence between them drawn. This idea was revealed in parashat Pekudei as an answer to the question of why the use made with gold is not specified.
Gold corresponds to the “good” and to the intellect (specifically to Torah) and therefore learning Torah does not need an additional motive, just as the good does not need to be pursued except for its own sake. This is what it means that the gold of the Land of Israel is good—the Torah of the Land of Israel is good for its own sake.
Silver corresponds to the pleasant and to our emotions. We should seek those emotions that are pleasant, to ourselves and to others. Most people in the world find silver pleasant. Some might ask: why do I love silver? And think the answer is: because it is beneficial. But it is not just that it’s beneficial. Even before it is beneficial it is pleasant.
Finally, copper corresponds to habits and to the useful. Only habits that are useful are worthwhile. Copper should be strong enough to hold us together.
