Parshas Shekalim Commemorates the Half-Shekel

Commemorates the half-shekel that all Jews donated (to the Temple) annually, in the month of Adar. The widespread custom is for the head of a household to give additional Machatzis HaShekel on behalf of each member of his household.

Editor's Note

The following instruction was the last new directive that we merited to receive from the Rebbe.

Train Children in Machatzis HaShekel

It would be a very good and fitting practice to train our young children in the donation of Machatzis HaShekel, by having them donate from their "own" money; their parents should aid them, ensuring that they have plenty to give—and even enough surplus for their other "needs." After all, we do not want to cause them any sort of financial "loss" by having them observe this annual custom…