The Source of Generosity

... and the man took a golden pendant a beka (half shekel) in weight and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold.                 Genesis 24:22

            Our Sages (Breishit Rabba, 60, quoted by Rashi) note the symbolic significance of the presents which Eliezer, servant of Abraham presented to Rivka. The beka represents the half shekel the Israelites gave to the Temple. (Exodus 28:26) The two bracelets, of ten shekels weight symbolize the two tablets containing the Ten Commandments.

            Rebecca was extravagant in her readiness to help another person. She volunteered not only to draw water for Eliezer and his men, but for the ten camels as well. In our times, chances are most people would ignore a stranger. At best, we might expect a good natured person to offer the use of his bucket so Eliezer could draw water for the camels.

            My father suggested that the symbolic nature of the gifts teaches a very important lesson. Generosity, whether in kindness to fellow human beings or in contributing to charity, must be based upon the Ten Commandments. Generosity which is disconnected from our traditional sources can lead to destructiveness. Our Sages note that our ancestors in the desert contributed generously to the making of the golden calf as well as to the building of the Tabernacle. The lesson is that bein adam l’ḥaveiro (between man and fellow man) and bein adam laMakom (between man and his Maker) are interrelated. Ultimately, it is bein adam laMakom which guides bein adam l’ḥaveiro.