Question: What is money? And why are people so interested in it?

Answer: Money (Kesef) means a screen, which comes from the word “covering” (Kisufa). This is the Light of Hassadim that covers or conceals the egoistic desire, enabling one to receive the entire Light of Hochma.

That is why in the material world money has such great value and can buy anything. Any object has a monetary equivalent and everything is measured by money.

In spirituality everything is measured by the anti-egoistic screen, by what kind of covering you have from the Light of Hassadim. It determines a person’s size, height, and force because according to this garment, he is able to accept the Light of Hochma.

Thus, there is egoistic use of the notion of “money” as well as its use “for the sake of bestowal.” Accordingly, the ritual vessels in the Temple are divided into those that are “silver” (silver, Kesef, comes from the words covering, Kisufa), and those that are “golden” (gold, Zahav, comes from the words “give this,” Ze Av).

There is also a notion of “pocket money” that we sometimes give to a child. This is money that a person needs in order to feel protected against “poverty,” meaning to have the necessary covering for his will to enjoy.

A “pocket” is a receiving vessel, and pocket money is a covering that corresponds exactly to my receiving desires or vessels, enabling me to remain on the minimal level of bestowal, Nefesh, as Hafetz Hesed, one who does not need greater fulfillment.

Every person determines the degree of the concealment necessary to him according to his degree. However, if a child has a question about what he should spend the money he receives on, this is no longer called “pocket money” because it is beyond the boundaries of providing the vital necessities (buying breakfast at school or even candy or ice-cream, which is also considered necessary for a child to some degree).
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From the 4th part of the Daily Kabbalah Lesson 1/4/11, “The Wisdom of Kabbalah and Philosophy”

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