This Shabbat is the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh ADAR and thus we read, parallel to Parashat MISHPATIM, also Parashat SHEKALIM in the Synagogues. Parashat Shekalim is always read before the beginning of the month of Adar and I am going to explain the exact meaning in a following article.
There are different donations a Jew had to give in the desert. For building the Mishkan (Tabernacle) or for Korbanot (sacrifices). Those Terumot, however, also served as an atonement for one’s soul. The Machazit Ha’Shekel, however, is for all generations and thus, we are still involved in this Mitzvah.
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch commentated on the half – a – Shekel donation: “Equal participation symbolizes national goals of a Jew. We shouldn’t be selfish and refrain from only following our personal interests”.
When G – d commanded Moshe to carry out a census, the Jews were counted by their half – a – Shekel Terumah. They were commanded to donate half – a – Shekel which was then a silver weight Moshe introduced. The same donation amount for the rich and the poor hinting to the equality of every single Jew before G – d.
G – d showed Moshe that money is like fire. Both can be either beneficial or destructive, depending on how they are used.
Rabbi Elimelech of Lizhansk in Noam Elimelech
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