Speak to Aaron and say to him: “When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall cast their light toward the face of the menorah.” (Bamidbar 8:2)

A high school class once asked their Rebbe to have a day off from learning. That afternoon they had a Economics test and they wanted to prepare for it. The Rebbe responded that if they were unable to learn every time they have an economics test, then life would be very difficult. Every day is an economics test… just it is not the type of test that is handed out in a classroom. Everyone has to deal with real life financial issues all of the time.

I was in one of those times of a real life economics tests and asked my Rav a question. There is a law that when a person prays Shemone Esray, if he points his feet to the south, then it is beneficial for wisdom. If a person points his feet to the north, then it is beneficial for livelihood. This is because the Menora was in the South of the Temple while the Shulchan was in the North (Menora symbolizes wisdom while the Shulchan symbolizes livelihood). So, I asked my Rav if it would be proper to point my feet to the north. I’m not looking for a huge amount of wealth, but just enough help so I could pay my bills. But I also want wisdom. What should I do?

My Rav said it would be proper for me to point my feet to the North, but before I left, he added another thought. He said that Hashem came to Shlomo HaMelech and Hashem asked him what he would like. Hashem was offering to give him anything. Shlomo HaMelech responded he wanted wisdom. Hashem rewarded him for choosing wisely by not only giving him wisdom, but also giving him wealth. Therefore, my Rav recommended for me to point my feet to the South. If I have proper intentions and truly want wisdom, maybe Hashem would reward me with also wealth (or at least enough money to pay all of my bills). Of course, a person needs to truly want wisdom for this to work.

This is something we should think about the next we have an economics test.

Good Shabbos!
-y.e.s.
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