Shabbath Shekalim

This week we read in the Torah about the command to every Jew to contribute half a shekel towards the building of the Mishkan,the Sanctuary in the desert.
In the Torah’s command concerning the half-shekel, particular emphasis is laid on the necessity of giving half of a whole shekel.
Each party to the covenant was to regard himself as incomplete, a mere “half.” Hence, when G‑d told Moses that He was about to make a covenant with the Jews, He was emphasizing once again the lesson of the half-shekel that a Jew and his Creator are two indivisible halves, together forming one whole, a perfect unity.

Drawing colourful Shekalim 

 Laminated Shekel cards

 

Shabbath Shekalim

Parashat Shekalim is the first of four special readings added during or immediately before the month of Adar (the other three being Zachor, Parah and Hachodesh).
The Shekalim reading is also related to the upcoming holiday of Purim. According to the Talmud, Haman's decree was averted in merit of the mitzvah of machatzit hashekel.
When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, each Jew contributed an annual half-shekel to the Temple.
The funds raised were primarily used to purchase cattle for the communal sacrifices. The leftover monies were used for a variety of communal purposes, including providing salaries for the judges and maintenance of the Temple, its vessels, and the city walls.
This annual tax, known as the machatzit hashekel, was due on the 1st of Nissan. One month earlier, on the 1st of Adar, the courts began posting reminders about this Biblical obligation. In commemoration, the Shekalim is the first of four readings added during or immediately before the month of AdarTorah reading of the Shabbat that falls on or before Adar is supplemented with the verses  that relate G‑d's commandment to Moses regarding the first giving of the half-shekel.

 

 Handmade modelling clay  Shekalim