Parshah Ki Tisa - Exodus 30:11-34:35

This they shall give... half a shekel (Exodus 30:13)

G-d took a coin of fire from under His throne of glory and showed it to Moses, saying: "Such as this they shall give."

(Midrash Tanchumah)

Money is fire. Like fire, it can destroy and annihilate, or illuminate and warm, depending on how it is used.

(Rabbi Elimelech of Lizensk)

You cannot see My face, for no man shall see Me and live (33:20)

So said G-d to Moses: When I wanted to show you My face in the burning bush, you did not want to look [as it says, "And Moses hid his face, for he feared to look upon G-d" (Exodus 3:6)]. Now that you want to, I am not willing.

(Talmud, Berachot 7a)