It has long been a practice among Jews to show their love for and esteem of mitzvos by embellishing them with precious metals, such as silver of gold Kiddush cups, mezuzah containers, Torah ornaments, candelabras, and menoros.

Such was not the practice of the Tzaddik of Sanz. He believed that providing for the poor was far more important than owning expensive mitzvah objects.

When his followers bought him a silver Chanukah menorah, the Tzaddik of Sanz promptly pawned it and divided the money among the poor.

"How can I light a silver menorah knowing that there are people who are hungry? As for adorning mitzvos, there is no finer ornament than tzedakah."

(Rabbi A. J. Twerski shlita)