Being Careful With Money

Shalom . What is the meaning of ; התורה חסה על ממונם של ישראל Thank you

Shalom!

Thank you for your question.

Yes, there is a widely cited principle that we are not to waste, spend, or lose money needlessly.

One of the sources for this principle is that fact that when a Kohen would be called to judge a case of “tzaraat” (a spiritual punishment that could affect one’s home or body) the patient’s house would first be cleared of its possessions lest the patient be rendered impure. By removing the possession before the Kohen’s verdict is given, the possessions will remain useable in the future. Otherwise, they would have to be destroyed. We see that the Torah looks for ways to help people save/retain their money.

Another source for the idea example of not overspending is the case of the Holy Trumpets. One of the reason the trumpets were made of sliver and not of gold was in order to save money. We are also told that the Torah did not want us bringing more offerings than truly required in order to preserve our money. There are many other examples, as well.

Some of the more modern applications of this principle include the ban on dressing the dead in anything but the simplest shrouds, boycotting fish stores if the prices are raised too high (even though it would mean giving up the hallowed custom of eating fish on Shabbat), and leniencies in Kashrut where disposing the food would be a financial loss.

We are taught that one who does not care about the money of others will be reprimanded for it in the Next World. So too, one who is careful with the money of others fulfills the mitzva of “love your fellow as yourself.”

Leviticus 14, Rosh Hashana 26b, 27a, Moed Katan 27b, Magen Avraham 242, Tur CM 35.