B"H

Friday, Adar1 24, 5782 / February 25, 2022

This Shabbat we read from two Torahs. In the first Torah we will read the regular Shabbat Torah portion, Parshat Vayakhel. In the second Torah we will read the beginning of last week’s Parsha, Ki Tisa, about the half shekel which G-d commanded the Jewish people to contribute toward the building of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Due to this reading this Shabbat is called, Shabbat Shekalim.

Our sages say that when G-d told Moshe about the contribution of the half shekel, G-d showed Moshe a "coin of fire" and told him, "This they shall give".  

Q.  What is the significance of G-d showing Moshe a "coin of fire" and saying "this they shall give?"

A.  The sages explain: the purpose of giving the "half-shekel" was, as the Torah says, “an atonement for the soul.” The half shekel was so that G-d will forgive the Jewish people for their sin of the Golden Calf. But Moshe couldn’t understand how such a small sum of a half shekel will be enough to forgive for such a grave sin as worshiping the Golden Calf?  

By showing Moshe a "coin of fire" G-d implied that the giving should be with fire, feeling, and compassion. It is not the amount which counts, but the FIRE and enthusiasm with which it is given.    

The story is told of a flagman in Russia, whose job it was to wave a lantern at the approaching trains to signal it to stop.  One night there was a tragic accident, the train did not stop.  The flagman was brought to court for interrogation. 

The judge questioned him: “Were you at the train tracks at 10:00 P.M. Thursday night?”

“Yes, your Honor”, replied the flagman.

“Did you see the train approaching”, inquired the judge.

“Yes your Honor”, answered the flagman.

“Did you wave the lantern”, the judge asked.

“Yes, your Honor,” was the response.  The flagman was pronounced not guilty.

However, there was one question the judge forgot to ask.   “Was the lantern lit?”  For without the light, the lantern was totally useless in the dark.   

This is the lesson of the fiery half-shekel.  We must infuse our good deeds, charity and mitzvot, with fire, warmth and enthusiasm.  That is what makes all the difference.

SHABBAT  SHALOM - HAVE A GREAT, WARM & ENTHUSIASTIC SHABBAT

Montreal candle lighting time: 5:18 / Shabbat ends: 6:21