Machshavot HaLev - Yeshivat Lev HaTorah

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Parshat Shekalim
Partnerships and Juggernauts
Rav Jake Vidomlanski
T he mishna in Megilla (29a) writes that on the Shabbat prior to Rosh Chodesh
Adar we read Parashat Shekalim - the first of the four parshiot (Shekalim, Zachor,
Parah, Hachodesh). Hence this week in shuls around the world we will take out two
sifrei Torah (assuming there are two); in the first we will read the weekly portion of
Pikudei and in the second we’ll read from Parashat Ki Tisa (Shemot 30:11-16). In the
time of the Beit Hamikdash there was a yearly obligation incumbent upon all members
of Klal Yisrael to contribute a half shekel towards the purchasing of korbanot tzibbur
(public sacrifices; daily offerings as well as the korbanot mussaf). Starting with Rosh
Chodesh Nissan, korbanot tzibbur had to be financed from the newly collected funds.
As such, large collection points were set up during the month of Adar to gather the
funds. Therefore, prior to Rosh Chodesh Adar, Parashat Shekalim, which details the
obligation to contribute a half shekel, was read. This would serve as a reminder to the
people to contribute their share. Today, sadly, we lack the Beit Hamikdash; nevertheless
we continue to read Parashat Shekalim as a zecher la-mikdash.
Parashat Shekalim opens with the words “Ki-tisa et rosh B’nei Yisrael.” The common
and indeed intended translation is “when you take the census of the people of Israel.”
However we cannot ignore the language invoked, “ki-tisa.” The word “tisa” in Hebrew
means to lift up. Chazal in the Gemara (Bava Batra 10b), sensitive to the precise
language of the text, state that this mitzvah has the ability to elevate the Jewish people.
One must wonder what about this particular mitzvah has the ability to elevate the