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Shabbat
Parashat Shekalim
The Sabbath of the Shekels
Shabbat Parashat Shekalim - The Sabbath of the Shekels is named
for the special Torah reading that is added to the Shabbat morning
Torah service, Shekalim is always read on Rosh Chodesh (the beginning
of the month of) Adar or on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar.
In addition to the regular weekly Torah reading, Exodus 30:11-16
is read which commands that a census be taken of the Jewish people
through the giving of a half-shekel by all men over the age of 20.
The money was then to be used for the work in the Tabernacle and
later for the communal sacrifices in the Holy Temple.
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Each person had to give a half -shekel at the time of the census
(i.e. no "payment plans.")
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Everyone gave the same amount - the rich could not give more and
the poor could not give less.
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The census counted every male over the age of 20 under the assumption
that every male over the ago of 20 had established a household,
thus the census counted all Jewish households.
Why we read Shekalim at the very beginning, or just before, the
month of Adar :
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In the time of the Temple, the half-shekel was contributed during
the month of Adar, so the reading of Shekalim served as an announcement
of the upcoming obligation. The contribution was made in Adar,
because the fiscal year of the Temple began in the month that
followed, Nisan.
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The sages teach that Haman offered 10,000 silver pieces for the
right to destroy the Jews, assuming this would off set the total
sum of the Jews' half-shekel donation in the wilderness.
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