OU TORAH The Machatzit HaShekel in Parshat Pekudei By Rabbi Menachem Leibtag

Part I – A ‘Base’ and a ‘Crown’ What did Bnei Yisrael do with the silver collected from the very first “machatzit hashekel”? From the commandment at the beginning of Parshat Ki-tisa (that we read as maftir for Parshat Shekalim) it is not very clear – as it simply states that it should be given: “l’avodat OHEL MOED” – for the needs of the Tabernacle (see 30:16). Even though the commentators offer two explanations for what this specific phrase refers to: – either: To purchase the “korbanot tzibur” [community sacrifices] and hence a mitzvah for all future generations as well; or To construct the Mishkan itself and hence a one time mitzvah – for building the Mishkan [See lengthy discussion in Ramban on 30:16.] Nonetheless, from the opening pesukim in Parshat Pekudei it is clear that there was indeed a special donation of a “machatzit hashekel” for the specific purpose of BUILDING the Mishkan.