Joey swallowed a nickel and his parents were frantic. "Cough!!" "Gosh, what are we gonna do?!" "This is terrible!" After a few moments and the situation just getting worse, Joey's father took matters into his own hands. He started slamming Joey on his back. Boom! Boom! Boom!

Thankfully the nickel came flying out.

Joey's younger brother David, who had watched it all, asked his parents if he can have a word with them.

I look at an object or event and see one thing; you look at it and see something else entirely"Mom and Dad, I've decided that from now on I will only eat bread and butter, and I'll buy only one pair of shoes every two years!

"I saw how you both became so worried about that nickel. I hadn't realized how desperate we are for money."

We all have perceptions. I look at an object or event and see one thing; you look at it and see something else entirely, if not the total opposite.

Let's take a look at the Holy Temple. There is the way I see it, a superficial and external perception. And then there is the truth, the way G‑d sees it.

I see a magnificent structure bedecked with silver and gold. "What is this all about?" I wonder. Is G‑d so high maintenance?

The true way to look at it: What was gold and silver created for if not to beautify the service of its Creator!

I see blood and a slaughterhouse, making for an eerie scene.

The true way to look at it: This is a reflection of man sacrificing his personal animal, his life source, his own flesh and blood, for a higher cause.

I hear beautiful music and heart-warming singing and harmony from the instruments and mouths of the Levites.

The true way to look at it: These are heavenly tunes, aimed at pulling at the listener's soul strings, to bring him closer and more open to his truest self.

Which perception will we adopt?