Our Gemara on Amud Beis mentions an oft-quoted rabbinic principle: “The Torah is careful to spare the money of the Jewish people.”

Why is such a principle operative? On a simple level, we can say it is a function of humility. God provides for a minimum of structure and commitment in our relationship to Him and leaves it to us, to voluntarily add more tribute. Additionally, it might be related to the principle we discussed in Psychology of the Daf, blogpost Menachos 72, that we do not rely on miracles. The Torah expects us to live naturally in most situations, and therefore the amount required to serve God should not be extraordinary nor require extensive sacrifice.

The Baal Shem Tov (Vayechi 5) offers a mystical interpretation. Everything comes from God and must serve a Godly purpose. If an object comes into your possession, there are holy sparks that must be liberated by your using them in service of God. This liberation may be personal to your soul, which needs to be the conduit. An object changes ownership when this person has utilized every aspect that travels through his conduit. If it comes into another person’s possession, it is because it now requires a new process of redemption through this person’s conduit. Nothing is to be wasted, and each possession is precious, but not in a hoarding, miserly way. It is precious because it is there in form and function to serve God as the possessor sees fit, because he would know his best conduit. God models this approach by being mindful of the financial burden.

This humble and practical attitude toward everything that we possess, is actually not possession but rather stewardship. This is the Torah version of conservatism and not a fake, woke form of “Let’s hug animals and worry more about an exotic fish than the almost one million annual abortions in the United States.” This is living in the world as a welcome and beloved guest of God. He wants us to live and enjoy His blessings and accommodations in “Hotel Universe,” while also being a considerate and respectful guest when on the premises.