Parsha:

Ki Tisa,  Shekalim 

Description

Parashat Shekalim speaks of the initial command to donate half shekels during the nation's first year in the Wilderness. What was the purpose of this directive? The verses speak of both the need to avert plague when counting and also that these contributions were designated to be utilized in service of the Tabernacle. How do these goals relate to each other and which was paramount? Finally, how does this initial command relate to the annual half shekel donations given ever since? This Torahcast, brought to you by ALHATORAH.ORG, featuring Neima Novetsky, explores these questions and more. For primary sources and analysis, see http://alhatorah.org/Half_Shekels_%E2%80%93_For_Census_or_Tabernacle