By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO — This week we read the first of four special maftir portions which are read leading up to Purim and Passover. The maftir is called Shekalim. It describes the half-shekel tribute every Israelite was to pay to the Temple in order to purchase the animals for public sacrifices. After the Temple was destroyed, the half-shekel continued to be collected for charitable causes. This maftir, Shekalim, is read prior to or on the first day of Adar because this is when the half-shekel was due.
A half-shekel is an unusual denomination. It is fractional and somehow incomplete. Biblical commentators offered several suggestions as to why a half, rather than a whole shekel was contributed. Here are two of my favorites:
Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Przysucha, Poland (1765-1827) wrote that the half-shekel was donated, according to the Torah, “to atone for your sins.” (Ex. 30:16). The half-shekel amount indicates that the monetary donation in and of itself is insufficient to atone for sins. It only provides partial atonement. The other “half” of the atonement comes from the person themselves, when they offer their heart and deeds in service of God and their fellow human beings.
Another reason for the donation of a half-shekel is offered by the Chatam Sofer, Germany (1762-1839). He wrote that the half-shekel donation indicates that when a Jew makes this donation, he does not complete the mitzvah of giving tzedaka. In fact, the mitzvah of giving tzedaka is one which can never be completely fulfilled.
No matter how much money one gives to good causes, more is always needed. One can never say that he or she has given enough tzedaka!
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue. He may be contacted via leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com Comments intended for publication in the space below must be accompanied by the letter writer’s first and last name and by his/ her city and state of residence (city and country for those outside the U.S.)