Ki Tisa Buzz
The beginning of this week’s Parasha introduces the Mitzvah of Machatzit Hashekel the half shekel. This half shekel that is brought every year by every individual is used for two primary reasons. Firstly to count Bnei Yisrael and secondly to fund the community sacrifices of the Bet Hamikdash.
After the command to bring the half shekel we are taught an interesting phrase that many commentators have discussed: “הֶֽעָשִׁ֣יר לֹֽא־יַרְבֶּ֗ה וְהַדַּל֙ לֹ֣א יַמְעִ֔יט מִֽמַּחֲצִ֖ית הַשָּׁ֑קֶל - The rich shall not increase and the poor shall not decrease from a half shekel”
The phrase seems a little superfluous. If the purpose of the half shekel is to count Bnei Yisrael wouldn’t it be obvious that if anyone gives more or less we would not generate an accurate count?
I believe the answer to this question is connected to another message taught through the half shekel. Each person is represented through a half not a whole. Each of us were created by Hashem and so too were our deficiencies. We were all created lacking so that another can come and help us. We were also all created equal. The person with more money counts exactly the same and has a deficiency that needs to be filled just as the poor person. Each of us was given one life; it is up to us to make the most of it. Our ‘value’ is not in our worth but rather in how we are able to help others, to help with their half.
Additionally, the second purpose of the half shekel is to fund the sacrifices of the community. You might have a person out there who is capable of more, however the message we are taught here is it is more powerful when every person gives a small amount. After the tragedy of October 7th we saw the power of the community giving. Each person stepped up in their own way and the impact is still being felt in our homeland.
This concept of giving is not about changing the world with a big gesture but instead about everyone being responsible and stepping up to do their part. In some communities there are a few people who do everything, in others everyone does something even if it's only part of the job, that's half a shekel.
May we merit through our giving to be closer to our whole and see the return of the hostages very soon.
Shabbat Shalom
*Dvar Torah based on shiurim by Rabbi Shlomo Farhi