Timeless Torah

The blunder of the Golden Calf caused untold damage. An angry G-d wished to destroy His people until the pleading words of Moses turned away His wrath. As atonement, each Jew was commanded to contribute half a shekel. (A shekel was a standard coin like the dollar.)

Moses was puzzled. Why only half a dollar? Surely the Jews would have been willing to give a whole shekel? Yet this week’s Torah portion specifically spells out the instructions - a half shekel. It never even uses the term fifty cents which is the equivalent. To make matters even more baffling, the wealthy were prohibited from donating according to their financial capability. Everyone gave a half shekel - no more, no less.

Very often, we, as Jews, are charged with seemingly formidable tasks. G-d’s demands include; be a holy people, a light unto the nations, bring the Moshiach, raise your children as good Jews, go to services, earn a living honestly, etc. “How,” we ask ourselves, “are we to attain these ambitious goals?”

In response, the mitzvah of the half shekel comes along, teaching us that we are not limited to our own human resources. When a Jew tries to fulfill any of his sacred missions, his initiative evokes a corresponding action from on High. Human effort alone may not be sufficient, but it doesn’t have to be. It is met half way by Divine reciprocation.

The Jews could not achieve forgiveness for the Golden Calf by giving a whole shekel or more. That would send the wrong message, indicating that man can do it alone, and that’s not true.

Mortal man must recognize that he is only half the equation. We cannot be guaranteed success in our businesses or with our children, much less change the world, without a little “Mazal” from above. Only by taking G-d on as a partner in all our endeavors can we hope to be complete.