Whether you are responsible for maintaining records of public funds or running a private business, take heed of the Torah’s description of the full accountability and transparency of the donations that were made toward the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle).

Honesty is the best policy, especially when an individual is charged with maintaining the funds of a public charity. That Jewish law would instruct that there be at least three people to oversee the collection and ultimately, the distribution of charitable funds, is indicative of the Torah’s dictates that those in the public spotlight-especially those with access to public funds-be particularly scrupulous, and that their actions be beyond reproach.

To appreciate some of the ways that we can sanctify God’s name by living an honest life, read this illuminating analysis entitled: “Honesty and Integrity in Public Life” from Rabbi Ephraim Z. Buchwald’s Torah message for Pekudei 5779-2019. Out of respect for Shabbat, please consider printing it on Friday afternoon if you plan to read it on Shabbat.