In Judaism, evil tyrants receive a special title after they die. Hitler for example is now referred to as ‘Hitler of cursed memory’(1). On the other hand, righteous people obtain the title ‘of blessed memory’. In many instances it is not to difficult to choose which of the two is more appropriate. However there are instances where it can be somewhat obscure…
A contemporary example could be the late Russian inventor, Mikhail Kalashnikov who died only fifty five days ago (23rd December 2013). He is famous for having designed the AK47 assault rifle, which to this day remains the most widely used with over seventy five million in circulation(2). On the one hand his invention is a great tool for defence, it has even been used by the Israeli army(2). On the other hand it is the symbol of the terrorist, it has claimed millions of lives and instils dread and fear… Is he thus to be remembered with ‘blessed’ or ‘cursed’ memory – this is somewhat unclear, one could perhaps argue either way.
A similar thought can be found in our Sedra. G-d instructs Moshe to take a census of the people using a specific type of coin. The Medrash(3) relates Moshe was unclear exactly which coin to use, and to clarify, G-d showed him a fiery image of the coin…
Now, it is well known that in art for example, every aspect of an artefact might have been specifically designed to relate a message or feeling. The new Yad Vashem building in Jerusalem is a great example. Both the colour and texture of the walls were chosen to instil visitors with a sombre feeling, even the very shape of the building; a funnel with a skylight at the end, carries with it an important message. One would thus be safe to assume that G-d, the greatest ‘artist’ of all, would not have chose fire as the means to demonstrate the coin for no reason. G-d is all powerful and capable, He could have showed Moshe a coin of ice or even of mice! Why did He specifically choose to design a coin of fire for His illustration?
The Chassidic master, Rabbi Nachman of Bratslav (died 1810) suggests that fire is the archetypal example of something that can be used for both good and bad. On the one hand fire warms, cooks, fashions and provides light. On the other hand it can burn, destroy and choke. G-d wished to teach that money in of itself is neither good or bad, rather like fire, it simply depends on what it is used for. For example, a million pounds is a lot of money; in the hands of terrorists it can pull the twin towers down, in other hands however it can support Torah and improve people’s lives.
It was this message that G-d wished to teach us. It’s not how much a person has that counts in the eyes of G-d, rather it’s what they choose to do with it. I guess therefore that if Mikhail invented his assault rifle for self defence, and to support monotheism, then he might be in the category of ‘blessed memory’. However if he did it to kill and support terrorism, then the opposite would be true.
May we all merit to use our assets for the correct things.
Shabbat Shalom
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1. Zecher Rosha Liklala or Zecher Tzadik Livrocha
2. Wikipedia
3. Tanchuma 9 — see also Rashi to Shemos 30, 13