Shekalim of Fire

This week is the first of the Arba Parshios, which are read between now and Pesach. I felt it appropriate to share a thought on Parshas Shekalim, which touches upon the discussion of the Mishkan that has been ongoing for the past couple of weeks. Rashi, comments on the words “Zeh Yitnu” with the words of the Medrash, that Hashem showed Moshe a Shekel made of fire and said “K’zeh Yitnu: they should give (a Shekel) like this.” The basis of Rashi’s comment is the word “Zeh,” which generally connotes pointing to something physical. If Hashem was just telling Moshe to collect a Machatzis HaShekel, what did he have to show him? If we look at the rest of the Medrash, the question is even stronger: Moshe had difficulty understanding the Machatzis HaShekel, so Hahsem showed him one of fire and said “K’zeh Yitnu” This is similar to a Medrash found with regard to the Menorah, where it also says “Zeh” (V’Zeh Ma’aesh Hamenorah…”) and the Medrash says that Moshe had difficulty understanding the construction of the Menorah, so Hashem showed him one. It is understandable that Moshe may have had a hard time understanding the Menorah’s construction—it was an intricate object to be made from one solid block of gold—and therefore needed to see a physical representation, but why didn’t he understand a Machatzis HaShekel, which was merely a coin? What was his difficulty? Further, if Hashem was going to show him the coin, for whatever reason, why did he show him one made of fire? It seems that when Moshe was shown the Menorah, it was not made of fire, why was the Shekel? The Sefer Ohr Gedalyahu (R’ Gedalya Shor zt”l) has a lengthy explanation of this Medrash, but I would like to take one of the ideas he mentions and use it to try and answer our questions. The Shekalim that Moshe was commanded to collect, from each eligible member of Klal Yisroel, were to be used in the construction of the Mishkan. His question was: if we are starting a fundraiser for the Mishkan, why are we using small coins—in a fixed amount? Wouldn’t it be easier and more effective to raise funds in larger amounts? Moshe posed a similar question to Hashem when he received the initial Tzivuy for the Terumas HaMishkan. The Passuk there says “Me’es Kol Ish: from every man” Chazal say that Hashem told Moshe that each person is capable of building the Mishkan on his own, by himself. Moshe asked: “How is this possible? How can one person build the Mishkan all by himself?” The answer he received are the next three words in the Passuk: “Asher Yidvenu Libo: who gives with the dedication of his heart.” Hahsem told Moshe that such is the power of Nidivus Lev, a dedicated heart: with the right amount of devotion to the Mitzvah, a person would be capable of building the entire Mishkan on his own. That was the message of the Shekel of fire. The fire represents the Nidivus Lev, the passion, the fire in a person’s heart. Hashem was showing Moshe: don’t be concerned about the small quantity of the Machatzis HaShekel, it’s the Nidivus Lev that counts in the building of the Mishkan. What exactly is Nidivus Lev and why was it so central to the Mitzvah of Shekalim? The Gemarah in Megillah (13a) says: “Hashem knew that in the future Haman HaRasha would separate Shekalim for the sake of his evil plan, and so he instituted the Mitzvah of Shekalim at the beginning of Adar, prior to the separating of Haman’s Shekalim.” R’ Shalom Schwadron explains this Gemarah with an important Yesod. Haman was willing to give of all his wealth, a tremendous amount of money, in order to further his progress toward the ultimate goal of destroying the Jews. R’ Shalom terms this an Aveira L’shma: the ultimate dedication to a malicious endeavor! When non-Jews display this level of dedication to their goals, it can be a “kitrug” or claim against, Klal Yisroel: look at how dedicated and selfless they are in their pursuits, why are you not similarly devoted to Torah and Mitzvos. Heshem foresaw this and therefore instituted the Mitzvah of Machatzis HaShekel to combat the Kitrug. The tem “LaHashem” is repeated numerous times in the Parsha of Shekalim: this Mitzvah is one that includes selflessness and Nidivus Lev, dedication, at its core. That is why, adds R’ Shalom, the Mitzvah of Shekalim is equal to all participants: the rich and poor give the same amount. This engenders selflessness because there’s little room for Kavod when everyone gives the same amount. Nidivus Lev, passion and dedication, elevates the performance of a Mitzvah from ordinary to exalted. Rahcmana Liba Baey: Hahsem wants our heart. The excitement, emotion and effort we expend on Mitzvos is one of the most important facets of our Avodas Hahsem. The Mitzvah of Machatizs Hashekel reminds us that its not the “size” or magnitude of the Mitzvah itself that is important: Machatzis Hashekel is not a very difficult undertaking—all that is required is an almost negligible sum of money—but if done correctly, with the right amount of “Lev” it can combat a serious Kitrug on Klal Yisroel.