Shabbat Shekalim

The Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh on which Parashat Mishpatim falls (in a non-leap year) is called Shabbat Shekalim. One should make every effort to go to the synagogue in the morning and, before the reading of the passage from Parashat Ki Tisa about the donation of a half-shekel, ask: “Ribono Shel Olam! In the merit of my standing before You and listening to Parashat Shekalim, hear my prayer (personal request), as You promised Moshe Rabbeinu, peace be upon him.” If you were unable to go to the synagogue, read it at home (Exodus 30:11–17), and then recite Psalm 100 seven times and ask for your personal request. The Importance of Parashat Shekalim Our sages instituted the reading of Parashat Shekalim on the Shabbat before Rosh Chodesh Adar because on Shabbat the entire Jewish people gathers in synagogues to hear the Torah reading. Thus, the reading of this passage served as the first reminder of the mitzvah and of the need to fulfill it on time. Today, when the Temple is destroyed and sacrifices are not offered, it is impossible to fulfill the mitzvah of the “half-shekel,” which atoned for the souls of the Jewish people, in the manner prescribed to us by the Torah. Nevertheless, we continue to read Parashat Shekalim at the appointed time; this reading is the fulfillment of the mitzvah that is possible in our time, as the prophet Hosea said (Hosea 14): “We will pay for bulls with our lips.” Furthermore, we read Parashat Shekalim at the appointed time in the hope that the Temple will soon be rebuilt, and then our reading will directly serve the fulfillment of the mitzvah. Why Before Rosh Chodesh Adar The Shulchan Aruch (Orach Chaim 694:1) mentions the custom of donating machatzit ha-shekel on the eve of Purim, in memory of the half-shekel that every Jew was obligated to bring in Temple times, as it says in the weekly Torah portion (Ki Tisa, Exodus 30:3): “This is what they shall give… a half-shekel.” These funds were used for the communal sacrifices beginning on the first day of the month of Nisan. Machatzit ha-shekel was to be brought during the month of Adar; therefore, following this custom, we too give money in the month of Adar in memory of machatzit ha-shekel. (Zoya Haya Tigay of the Breslov Kollel (Karmiel) Segulah of Rabbi Chaim Palagi Before Shabbat Shekalim Segula of Rabbi Chaim Palagi Before Shabbat Shekalim

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Tags: Segulot, Parashat Shekalim, Shabbat Shekalim, The Segula of Shabbat Shekalim, Masechet Ha-Shekel, Jewish Holidays

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Shabbat Shekalim

Shabbat Shekalim

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