Half Shekel Donation

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1. An Egalitarian Obligatory Contribution

   Haftarot: Shekalim

   Rabbi Mosheh Lichtenstein

   Yoash suggests that funds be collected for the Temple through the priests. Why does he think this is the best way, and why does the system later change, and the money collected in a box directly in the Temple? The system is reminiscent to the Half Shekel contribution, and the anonymity enables a degree of equality in the nation's participation in the Temple. This prevents donors to contribute only in order to enhance their social status.

2. The Census and the Plague

   Rabbi Yaakov Medan

   This article discusses the role of the half-shekel as an atonement for the census taken of Am Yisrael. We also explore the story of the census and its subsequent plague during the time of King David, whereby Chazal say that the plague broke out as a punishment for the people's failure to demand that the Temple be built. Examining this event as well as Haman's decree threatening Israel's annihilation during the time of Achashverosh can shed light on the purpose of the half-shekel as a reminder to God of the silver sockets in the wall of the Temple, therefore providing atonement for their sins. 

3. Shekalim - Counting Money

   HaTanakh.com Staff

4. Parashat HaShavua Parashat Shekalim - Everyone is Accountable for a Relationship With God

   Rabbi Alex Israel | 34 minutes

   In this shiur, we will look at the Parasha and Haftara for Shekalim, and offer contemporary perspective on the ideas therein.
   We will look at the haftara's connections with the Parasha but delve into the haftara to shed light on a lesson for contemporary life about implementing a system with checks and balances, with an appropriate balance between trust and accountability. We also find messages about the need for the People of Israel to rise above passivity - every individual must be active and involved in order to develop a relationship with God
    

5. The Half-Shekel

   Rabbanit Sharon Rimon

   Parshat Ki-Tisa opens with the subject of the half-shekel. What are Bnei Yisrael being commanded to do here? What is the purpose of giving a half-shekel? Clearly, the issue of counting is central to this unit. But is there actually a command to hold a census? Through an analysis of the various reasons for conducting a census, we can understand that it must be conducted along with an offering to God, reminding us that it is God Who made us numerous, Who gave us the power to succeed. In Parshat Ki-Tisa, among all the commands concerning the building of the Mishkan, God commands us to number the people by means of giving an offering to God, in order to remind us – specifically during the census – the place of the Divine Presence amongst Israel, the dependence upon God, the need to turn to Him.

6. “What is man, that You should remember him, and a mortal, that You should count him?”

   Rabbi Gad Eldad

   Parshat Ki-Tisa begins with the description of a census of Bnei Yisrael, which was carried out by means of the half-shekel. Up until now, the subject has been the construction of the Mishkan, along with its vessels and related matters. It is not clear how the census has anything to do with this. In addition, the commentators are divided as to whether the command conveyed here is applicable to future generations, or whether it is limited to a one-time census. Through a close examination of the text, we can understand that the point is not the census, but rather the atonement money that is collected by means of the census and which is used in the Mishkan. Atonement money prompted by the heart and ransom of the soul are two dimensions that nourish one another, jointly purifying man and bringing him closer to God.

7. Teruma, Shekalim, and Purim: Unity and the Half-Shekel

   Rabbi Jonathan Snowbell | 18 minutes

   Teruma and Shekalim deal with the instructions for the Mikdash (the Mishkan) –the apparent peak of avodat Hashem. Purim, which comes around this time, is the opposite of that spectrum: Jewish assimilation -only oming together because of a threat. Beginning with Parashat Shekalim, we explore the common denominator between these two extremes: appreciating what makes us similar. The half-hekel and the service of the Kohanim remind us that we are part of something greater. The half shekel needs something to complete it, and the purpose of the Kohanim is to represent Bnei Yisrael. At times, we need to be lowered from our high horses, and must remember that we are part of a greater whole.

8. The Oath

   Rabbi Tzvi Sinensky

   Nechemia chapter 10, perhaps the climax of the nation’s renewed commitment to Torah, summarizes the binding oath accepted by the community.

   In many instances, the oath seems to supersede the obligations that are set forth explicitly in the Torah. The commentators struggle with a fundamental question: to what extent was the oath a renewed commitment to the ancient laws of the Torah, albeit with some novel interpretations, and to what extent are these new, proto-Rabbinic laws? As we have seen, it is most likely that our chapter presents a mix of the two views. On any view, our chapter – and, indeed, the entire period of Shivat Tzion – exemplifies a careful balance between commitment to tradition and an understanding that specific commandments require additional emphasis or even innovation at particular moments in history.

9. Ramban on Ki Tisa - The Holy Half Shekel

   Rabbi Ezra Bick | 24 minutes

   What is the "Holy Shekel" mentioned by the Torah? Is it a known monetary unit, or has Moshe invented it? If it is known, why is it described, and if it is new, why is it not clarified? What is "holy" about the half-shekel? Is the shekel intrinsically holy, or does the holiness refer to its potential to be elevated to a holy status?

10. Parshat Bemidbar - Of Counting and Consequences

    Rabbi Chanoch Waxman | 35 minutes

    Parashat Bemidbar begins with a census. We will be discussing the topic of counting in this shiur. What is the purpose of counting and how is it done?

    We compare with Parashat Ki Tisa (Shekalim) and ask: why is it that counting can lead to a plague? Why is it that kofer – machazit hashekel can fix this problem?