Shalom
and Bracha!
This
Shabbat is the first of four special Shabbats between
now and Pesach in which we read from two Torah scrolls,
the portion of the week in the first scroll and a
special portion for the Maftir, relevant to the time of
year, in the second scroll. The four Shabbats parallel
the four letters of Hashem’s name and prepare us for the
four terms of redemption connected to the four cups at
the Seder.
In
the first scroll we read the portion Mishpatim. The
portion of Mishpatim includes the Jewish civil laws. It
concludes with details concerning the giving of the
Torah that weren’t mentioned last week, including that
we promised Hashem that whatever He commands, we will do
and we will hear. The seemingly awkward wording teaches
us that we must first be ready to accept and follow the
commandments of Hashem, and thereafter we must seek to
understand them. The juxtaposition of the civil laws and
this lesson teaches us that although the civil laws are
understandable, they are divine and we must submit our
logic to the logic of Hashem. Further, although the laws
are mundane, through understanding them we connect our
minds with Hashem.
For
the Maftir we read the portion of Shekalim. We then
bless the month of Adar, the month of Purim. The portion
of Shekalim describes the Mitzvah of the annual
contribution to the
Temple
in Yerushalayim for the public offerings. The communal
offerings were bought with public funds in order that
everyone have an equal participation. The Torah commands
that a collection be made and that everyone give a half
Shekel. It was forbidden to give more or less. The
collection was made during the month of Adar in order
that the offerings from the beginning of Nissan (the
month of Pesach, which is considered the first month)
could be purchased from the new funds.
There is also a special connection between the portion
of Shekalim and the festival of Purim. Haman promised
King Achashverosh ten thousand Shekalim as a bribe if he
would agree to annihilate the Jewish people. The
Gemarrah teaches that the Shekalim that were donated to
the
Temple
canceled the effect of his bribe. This is alluded to in
the verse (Exodus 30:12) “and they shall give… and there
will be no destruction.”
The
Midrash teaches that when Hashem told Moshe the Mitzvah
of Machatzit Hashekel (the half Shekel), he couldn’t
understand it until Hashem showed him a half Shekel of
fire. Seemingly, this Midrash is very puzzling. What was
so difficult to understand? The Shekel was a known coin
at the time, and once a year everyone was to give a half
Shekel.
What
perplexed Moshe was that we only give a half Shekel.
Every Mitzvah is done in a full and complete manner.
Sacrifices that were incomplete were invalid. When it
came to the annual participation in the communal
sacrifices, surely we should give a full Shekel!
In
order to answer this, Hashem showed Moshe a half Shekel
of fire. The half Shekel of fire is the half Shekel of
Hashem, which completes our half Shekel. Hashem reminds
us that whatever we do is only through His grace. When
we do a Mitzvah, particularly Tzedakah, it is often
accompanied with ego. I am the giver, you are the
recipient and I give up my hard earned money. Hashem
reminds us that it is His blessing that allows us to
succeed and have all that we possess. Our half Shekel
only exists thanks to His half Shekel of fire.
There is a deeper meaning to the half Shekel of fire.
When we perform the Mitzvah of Tzedakah, Hashem send us
a half Shekel of fire; renewed warmth in prayer, Torah
study, and all the Mitzvot we perform.
Another meaning is Hashem told Moshe that when one gives
Tzedakah, it must be a coin of fire. Tzedakah must be
given with warmth and excitement. The Rambam teaches
that the attitude in giving Tzedakah is often more
important than the quantity. The is true for the giver
and recipient.
The
month of Adar is the month of joy, when the Mazal of the
Jewish people is strong. The word Adar is a composite of
the Hebrew letter Aleph, which represents Hashem, and
the word Dar, which means dwells. May we see that in
this Adar, the month of joy, Hashem’s dwelling in this
earth will be established in the
Third
Temple
with the coming of Moshiach.
Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov,
Rabbi
Biggs