In 1933, American Jewry launched a boycott of German products in an effort to weaken the Nazi regime. In Eretz Yisrael, however, a difficult dilemma emerged. The British severely restricted Jewish immigration, but granted entry permits to those who brought £1,000 sterling with them. German Jews who wished to escape could not take their money out of Germany, making immigration nearly impossible.

To solve this problem, the Haavara (Transfer) Agreement was created, enabling German Jews to recover part of their assets and immigrate to the Land of Israel. Looking back, it became clear that during the six years between 1933 and 1939, this arrangement saved more than 50,000 Jews from the horrors of the Holocaust. The boycott of German goods was certainly well-intentioned, but it did not save a single Jew. In Judaism, what ultimately matters is action.

This week we read Parshat Korach. When the earth swallowed Korach, the Torah emphasizes that it swallowed not only him, but also “all of his possessions.” The Sforno explains that G-d did not want others to benefit from Korach’s wealth, because any mitzvah performed through that wealth would have been credited to him.

This teaches us that every mitzvah accomplished through our resources is like a check deposited into our spiritual bank account. A donation to charity, a synagogue, a mikvah, or Jewish education continues generating merit long after it is given.

And if we are not blessed with great wealth, there is another powerful investment: the Jewish education of our children. The Torah they learn, the prayers they recite, and the good deeds they perform throughout their lives all bring merit to their parents as well.

The question each of us should ask is: What is the balance in my spiritual bank account?