What is equality and the Half-Shekel Remembrance?
Then Adonai spoke to Moses saying, “When you tally the sum of Bnei-Yisrael by numbering them, then every man must pay a ransom for his soul to Adonai when you count them, so that no plague will fall on them. Every one among them who crosses over must give half a shekel according to the Sanctuary shekel (which is 20 gerahs): half a shekel as an offering to Adonai. Everyone who crosses over among them who is counted, from 20 years old and upward, is to give the offering to Adonai. The rich are not to give more and the poor are not to give less than the half shekel, when they present the offering of Adonai to make atonement for your souls. You are to take the atonement money from Bnei-Yisrael and give it for the service of the Tent of Meeting, so that it may be a memorial for Bnei-Yisrael before Adonai, to make atonement for your souls.” –Exodus 30:11-16 (TLV)
The passage above was a foundational practice throughout the time of the Tabernacle and the Temple. The Torah required each male twenty years of age and older to bring a half-shekel yearly as a tax and an offering of atonement. The theological issues related to atonement via monetary gifts is a subject well outside the scope of this post, so for now, let’s accept this merely as a given.
The half-shekel “tax” was a departure from the usual sin offerings wherein the poor could substitute animals of significantly less value. God’s call for an offering of equal value revealed that all people were equal before the Lord. This insight is fascinating because of this offering’s connection to the yearly census. We should also keep in mind that the half-shekel tax funded the operation of the Tabernacle/Temple. As to the value of each individual—existentially and liturgically (i.e., pertaining to the significance of their worship)—each Israelite was equal. There were no spiritual giants or supermen whose worship and prayer were more valuable. Neither were there spiritual infants whose spiritual service was worth less.
With the destruction of the Temple, the biblical significance of the half-shekel came to an end. Even if it were to be collected, the Jewish people could not use it in dedication to the Lord and Temple. As with many other practices associated with the fallen Temple, the rabbinic leaders did not want this historical practice to be lost, so they established the “Remembrance of the Half-Shekel” that we have today.
The practical details of this “Remembrance” are based on the monetary value of 10gr (ten grams) of silver. If possible, this figure translates to three coins in one’s nation of residence. Why “three” coins? On three occasions the Torah calls for Israel to give the half-shekel—one coin for each of those references. So, for example, the current value of 10gr of silver in Israel is ₪25 (New Israeli Shekel). To give the half-shekel then, a person living in Israel would give two₪10 coins and one₪ 5 (NIS) coin. Where coins aren’t available, modern Rabbis rule that bills are allowable. As in the above example, in the US, 10gr of silver is worth $7—one $5 and two $1 bills.
The custom has become to give this money to the poor. In some branches of Judaism, this means poor Torah scholars. Other expressions give to widows and orphans. In modern Judaism, people typically give this sum in the synagogue during afternoon prayers the day before Purim. The synagogue officials then decide where the money goes. However, there is no stipulation that people must give the “Remembrance of the Half-Shekel” to the synagogue. Therefore, those who have a cause that is dear to them (or don’t like where the synagogue sends the funds) will often choose to give where they wish.
In modern Judaism, adherents see the “Remembrance of the Half-Shekel” as a source of atonement and spiritual protection from any number of things, especially when it goes to the less fortunate. This offering is a way to steer clear of the error of Sodom: “Behold, this was the iniquity of your sister Sodom: pride, gluttony, and careless ease—so had she and her daughters—and she did not strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. So they were haughty and committed abomination before Me; therefore I removed them when I saw it” (Ezekiel 16:49-50).
The Lord sees the neglect of the poor as a severe offense. Conversely, God honors caring for the poor and the needy because He so closely identifies with (as!) them. The Wisdom Writer noted, “One who is kind to the poor lends to Adonai, and Adonai will reward him for his good deed” (Proverbs 19:17). While our giving to the poor should be altruistic—without any expectation of return—the Bible is clear that there is a “reward,” and the Rabbis have built heavily upon this.
While the half-shekel concept may be largely alien to the consciousness of a modern believer, many of its underlying principles remain viable for a life of faith. The need to see ourselves on equal footing with all other believers before God did not end with the Temple’s destruction or the New Covenant’s inauguration Our standing with God now entirely depends upon the finished work of the Messiah. This truth should leave us profoundly aware of our solidarity with brothers and sisters of faith. Grace is the “great equalizer” of all human beings.
Perhaps more than ever, we should be concerned for the poor and needy. The parable of the unmerciful servant should sober and inspire us. As we become increasingly aware of the “prodigal” gifts God shared through the shed blood of His only Son, we are increasingly motivated to share that goodness with those around us. Our gratitude toward God ignites compassion for our fellow man expressed in generosity with our time, talent, and treasure. In the Messiah’s Kingdom, we cannot relegate such Spirit-breathed benevolence to a specific day or monetary figure.
See Leviticus 5:7 and 12:8 for examples
See Beit Yosef, Orach Chaim 694
Shulhan Aruch, Orach Chaim 694:1
Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef, “Halacha for Wednesday 6 Adar Ii 5782 March 9 2022,” The Custom of the “Commemoration of the Half-Shekel”- The Seventh of Adar : Daily Halacha Based on the Rulings of Maran Rabbeinu Ovadia Yosef Zt”l, accessed July 20, 2022, https://halachayomit.co.il/en/Default.aspx?HalachaID=1901
Chaim Palagi, Ruch Chaim 694:2
Avner Apjin, Divrei Shalom 694:2
Avner Apjin Divrei Shalom 694:1
