HALACHA OF THE WEEK: Purim Part 1: Machatzit HaShekel The Rema wrote in Orech Chaim 694:1 that before Purim, there is a custom to donate half of the monetary unit of one’s time and place (e.g., half a dollar, half a pound, etc.). This custom commemorates the half-shekel that was donated in Adar to purchase animals for communal offerings. The custom is to give three times this half unit (e.g., $1.50) because, at the beginning of Parshat Ki Tisa [Shemot 30:13-15], the word “terumah” (donation) appears three times.
The common practice is for the synagogue to supply three half-dollars to be used for this custom. The person fulfilling this custom lifts the three half-dollars as an act of acquisition (kinyan) and then donates $1.50, returning the half-dollars to the tzedakah plate and relinquishing ownership of the half-dollars. Rabbi Yaakov Kametzky [Emet L’Yaakov page 160] wrote that one should give a little more than $1.50 in exchange for the three half-dollars because we avoid using tzedakah money to make change for own money. However, Sefardim rule that one should donate the value of three half silver shekels (approximately 9 grams). As of February 2022, this would equal $6.95.
The poskim offer three opinions as to when one should perform the Machatzit Hashekel: A) The Rama writes that one performs the Machatzit Hashekel before Mincha on Taanit Esther. B) Harav Yaakov Emden and the Chatam Sofer maintained that it is performed following Mincha on Taanit Esther. C) Magen Avraham rules that the custom of machatzit hashekel is performed on Purim morning [Magen Avraham 694:2].
If one did not donate the Machatzit Hashekel before Purim, it should be given as soon as possible during the month of Adar. If not then, Rabbi Yisroel Feinhandler [Avnei Yashfei 1:133] ruled that it can be performed for up to twelve months after Purim (until the following Nissan).
There is a debate among the authorities whether women are obligated to perform Machatzit Hashekel. Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach ruled that women are obligated [Halichot Shlomo Purim 18:3]. However, many have the practice that husbands perform Machatzit Hashekel on behalf of the women in his family. [Magen Avraham 694:3, Nitei Gavriel 27, Halichot Shlomo Purim 18:9 and Shevet Halevi 7:183].
For more halachic information regarding Purimclick here DVAR TORAH At the beginning of this week's parsha, we read the command to contribute a half-shekel for the building of the Mishkan. "This shall be given" - explained the midrash as quoted in Rashi, G-d showed Moshe a fiery coin, and its weight was half a Shekel, and He said to him, “give like this.”
Why did G-d have to show Moshe the image of a fiery coin? Because Moshe had difficulty imagining how the half-shekel looked. Therefore G-d showed him an image of the coin of fire. Similarly, Moshe could not imagine what the Menorah should look like, and therefore G-d showed him an image of a completed Menorah.
But, what was so hard to imagine how a coin would look? And even if it was difficult to imagine, why show an image of a coin made of fire?
Rabbi Zalman Sorotzkin offered a fascinating answer in his commentary Oznaim Torah. When Chazal taught that Moshe couldn't imagine what the coin was like - it didn't mean he couldn't imagine a coin - that was simple. Instead, Moshe had great difficulty imagining how money, which often is the source of temptation and sin, serves to bring man closer to His Maker?
G-d answered him by showing him an image of a coin made of fire because fire is a classic example of something that can do tremendous good or cause great destruction. G-d was teaching Moshe that money can be spiritually detrimental, yet money can also be elevated and used for a mitzvah as significant as building the Mishkan. How we use our money determines whether it will be a destructive or constructive force.
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MAZAL TOV * to Esther Cardash on the birth of a great grandson. The proud parents are Simi and Yosef Baruch Hildeshaim. * to Daniel and Ronit Peikes on the Bat Mitzvah of their daughter Huvie. * to MJ and Rachel Weinberger on the birth and naming of their daughter, Sadie.
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