Half Shekel, Whole Salvation
Mishpatim
Parshas Shekalim is read on the Shabbos preceding or coinciding with Rosh Chodesh Adar. In Temple times Machatzis haShekel was given each year by every male over the age of 20. These half Shekels were used to purchase the animals for communal sacrifices so that each person would have a share in them. From Rosh Chodesh Adar they would announce the collection for the new year which started in Nissan. We read Parshas Shekalim as a reminder of this annual event.
The Machatzis haShekel is alluded to in the Megillah of Purim. Haman attempts to ‘buy’ the Jewish people and the right to destroy them from Achashveirosh for 10,000 Kikar Kesef - talents of silver. Tosfos observes that these 10,000 talents correspond to the half Shekel contributions of the Jewish people who had left Egypt. In doing so Haman hoped to negate any merit that would have from the Mitzvah of the half Shekel.
On closer examination, the calculation of the Tosfos seems way off the mark. The first half Shekel contribution was given in the desert by approximately 600,000 men. The total value of 600,000 half Shekel contributions (i.e. 300,000 Shekels) comes to only 100 talents of silver. This is derived as follows: each talent comprises 60 Maneh each made up of 25 Shekels. However, the Maneh used in calculations associated with the Beis Hamikdash was double the standard weight. Thus whilst 100 Temple-weight talents comes to 300,000 standard Shekels (100 x 60 x 25 x 2), 100 standard talents would be half of this value - 150,000 Shekels. At any rate, in paying 10,000 talents, Haman would have overpaid one hundred times.
The Bach reconciles the calculation of Haman with that of the half Shekel. The half Shekel was given by each man from the age of 20 and up. Assuming the average lifespan of 70 years (Tehillim 90), each of the 600,000 men would give 50 half Shekels over a lifetime (i.e. 25 whole Shekels) totalling 15,000,000 Shekels. This is equal to the 10,000 talents of Haman (since he would have utilised the standard talent weight).
Mathematics aside, as evidenced by the outcome of the Megillah, Haman’s 10,000 talents were no match for the half Shekel of Bnei Yisrael.
In his slander of the Jewish people. Haman described them as ‘scattered and dispersed’. Haman realised that the success of his plan hinged on the lack of unity amongst the Jewish people. Esther’s response was to instruct Mordechai to gather the Jewish people together in unity. Mordechai himself is referred to as Ish Yehudi. The commentators play on the phonetics of the word, saying that it should be read as Ish Yechidi, the man who brought unity to Bnei Yisrael.
The half Shekel is the emblem of Jewish unity and equality. Unlike all other donations to the Mishkan, the half Shekel was given equally - the rich may not give more and the poor may not give less. Furthermore each contributor had to join with a fellow Jew to present a ‘whole Shekel’. Understanding the message of unity was the Jewish people’s hidden strength which defeated the 10,000 talents of Haman and his evil devises.
The 100 talents of silver from the first half Shekel contribution were used to build the Adonim - the foundation sockets for the Mishkan. A foundation’s strength is pivotal for the entire building’s construction. The Mishkan represents the resting of the Divine presence within each and every Jew and amongst the Jewish people as a whole, which is ‘built’ through our fulfilment of the Mitzvos. For our ‘Mishkan’ to stand strong, the foundation of our Avodas Hashem must be solid Ahavas Yisroel and Achdus Yisroel. In this merit we will prevail over our enemies and merit to give the half Shekel once again in the Third Beis Hamikdash.
The Machatzis haShekel is alluded to in the Megillah of Purim. Haman attempts to ‘buy’ the Jewish people and the right to destroy them from Achashveirosh for 10,000 Kikar Kesef - talents of silver. Tosfos observes that these 10,000 talents correspond to the half Shekel contributions of the Jewish people who had left Egypt. In doing so Haman hoped to negate any merit that would have from the Mitzvah of the half Shekel.
On closer examination, the calculation of the Tosfos seems way off the mark. The first half Shekel contribution was given in the desert by approximately 600,000 men. The total value of 600,000 half Shekel contributions (i.e. 300,000 Shekels) comes to only 100 talents of silver. This is derived as follows: each talent comprises 60 Maneh each made up of 25 Shekels. However, the Maneh used in calculations associated with the Beis Hamikdash was double the standard weight. Thus whilst 100 Temple-weight talents comes to 300,000 standard Shekels (100 x 60 x 25 x 2), 100 standard talents would be half of this value - 150,000 Shekels. At any rate, in paying 10,000 talents, Haman would have overpaid one hundred times.
The Bach reconciles the calculation of Haman with that of the half Shekel. The half Shekel was given by each man from the age of 20 and up. Assuming the average lifespan of 70 years (Tehillim 90), each of the 600,000 men would give 50 half Shekels over a lifetime (i.e. 25 whole Shekels) totalling 15,000,000 Shekels. This is equal to the 10,000 talents of Haman (since he would have utilised the standard talent weight).
Mathematics aside, as evidenced by the outcome of the Megillah, Haman’s 10,000 talents were no match for the half Shekel of Bnei Yisrael.
In his slander of the Jewish people. Haman described them as ‘scattered and dispersed’. Haman realised that the success of his plan hinged on the lack of unity amongst the Jewish people. Esther’s response was to instruct Mordechai to gather the Jewish people together in unity. Mordechai himself is referred to as Ish Yehudi. The commentators play on the phonetics of the word, saying that it should be read as Ish Yechidi, the man who brought unity to Bnei Yisrael.
The half Shekel is the emblem of Jewish unity and equality. Unlike all other donations to the Mishkan, the half Shekel was given equally - the rich may not give more and the poor may not give less. Furthermore each contributor had to join with a fellow Jew to present a ‘whole Shekel’. Understanding the message of unity was the Jewish people’s hidden strength which defeated the 10,000 talents of Haman and his evil devises.
The 100 talents of silver from the first half Shekel contribution were used to build the Adonim - the foundation sockets for the Mishkan. A foundation’s strength is pivotal for the entire building’s construction. The Mishkan represents the resting of the Divine presence within each and every Jew and amongst the Jewish people as a whole, which is ‘built’ through our fulfilment of the Mitzvos. For our ‘Mishkan’ to stand strong, the foundation of our Avodas Hashem must be solid Ahavas Yisroel and Achdus Yisroel. In this merit we will prevail over our enemies and merit to give the half Shekel once again in the Third Beis Hamikdash.