And Joseph gathered up all the money

And Joseph gathered up all the money that was found...for the grain ("shever") that they bought ("shovrim") (Gen. 47:14)

The Midrash relates that the coins of ancient Egypt bore the likeness of an idol. How, then, could Joseph have had anything to do with an object that was tainted by idolatry? The answer lies in an alternate interpretation of the word "shever," which can also mean "to break." Before giving the coins to Joseph the Egyptians broke them up in pieces, thereby nullifying their idolatrous quality. (The Rabbi of Zidatchov)