Yitzchak Coffer asked:
The Insights states, "..since Nakdimon's money was given away to purchase honor directly (and not in orde to merit compensation through Divine intervention..." Akin to this, it would seem to me, is the gevir who outbids everyone for an aliya, if he has no need at the time for Divine intervention. Unless one is trying to encourage others to give, such as suggested in Pirchei Avos) would it not be safer and more meritorius to give more privately?
Yitzchak Coffer, Thornhill, Canada
The Kollel replies:
Clearly there is merit in doing all Mitzvos privately, except when wanting to set a positive example. As for the motive of the G'vir, the Navi tells us that "A person sees with his eyes and Elokim sees to the heart."
D.Z.