Articles with the tag: special shabbosim

Shabbosshekalim -torah & Economic Evaluation

After this week’s customary reading of the Biblical portion, there will be an additional Torah scroll that is unfurled. It is from this second Sefer Torah that we will hear of the ancient requirement that every Israelite was to contribute a half-shekel as “a ransom for his soul.”  This mandated donation atoned for the sin of the Golden Calf.  In actual practice, the collected monies were used to acquire the public offerings brought upon the Altar and also for the upkeep of the Temple itself.

This special Maftir reading has even entered into the language, and therefore the consciousness, of our people. That is the reason why synagogue-going Jews refer to this weekend as Shabbos Shekolim.

This intimate association of…

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Shabbos Shekalim-jewish Wealth

Parshat Shekolim /which tells of the Temple donations stands as a particularly appropriate time for a discussion of the Jewish meaning of Wealth. The shekel,  the standard form of currency in ancient Israel, was the Jewish symbol of wealth, much as the dollar is today.

The Talmud relates that G-d actually showed Moses a shekel/ of fire which He brought out from under His Throne of Glory. This conjures up a powerful image, and an even more significant message. There is absolutely nothing immoral about wealth. Judaism, unlike other religions, does not make a virtue of poverty. There is no spiritual discrimination against the rich. A man need not be ashamed of his shekel. If honestly earned, he can hold…

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