In the times of the Beis Hamikdash, each person would have to give a half-Shekel of silver. These coins would be used to purchase the communal sacrifices, so that each Jew would have a share in the Korbanos. This yearly contribution was a Biblical Mitzvah. After the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed and the sacrifices were no longer able to be brought, the Biblical Mitzvah of Machatzis Hashekel ceased.
The Shulchan Aruch
writes that in addition to Matanos L’evyonim, it is customary to give a half coin to charity as a remembrance of the Machatzis Hashekel. This is in keeping with the requirement of making a Zecher Lamikdash – a remembrance of the Temple practises.
The earliest source quoted that refers to the custom of giving a “Machatzis Hashekel” is Mesechta Sofrim which states; “Since Hashem knew that Haman would weigh 10,000 Kikar of silver (to be able to destroy the Jewish people), Hashem told Moshe that the Jewish people would give their Shekalim beforehand (to counter Haman’s coins). Therefore the Jews should give their Shekalim before Shabbos Zachor.”
The Minhag of giving “Machatzis Hashekel” is detailed in the writings of a number of Ashkenazi Rishonim. Most of the Rishonim do not record this Minhag. The Mechaber does not record the Minhag in the Shulchan Aruch, however the custom is brought by the Ram”o.
When giving the “Machatzis Hashekel” one should say that this is being given as a Zecher - a remembrance of the half-Shekel. One should not say that this “is” the Machatzis Hashekel so that it does not look like one is actually pledging towards the Korbanos.
How many coins
The Mordechai initially writes that one should give a half of the fixed coin used in their place of residence – suggesting that 1 half coin suffices. He then continues that because the Parsha of the donations to the Mishkan read on Parshas Shekalim, uses the word Terumah (donation) 3 times, one should give 3 coins.
The Vilna Gaon is recorded as stating that one only needs to give 1 coin, especially in a place where the half-coins are very valuable.
Half a coin or of currency?
It is preferable that the coins that are given for “Machatzis Hashekel” should be called ‘a half’ for example a half-dollar (USA) or half-sovereign (old UK currency). The Australian 50c coin, whilst being half a dollar, is not “called” a half-dollar. The Ram”o writes that in his land, one should give “half Gedolim” (Gedolim-Polish – large Polish coins) since this is the only coin that is called a half.
The Psak of the Ram”o. Tosfos Yomtov writes that this is subject to a Machlokes. The Rambam rules that Machatzis Hashekel had to be given by everyone over Bar Mitzvah. Tosfos Yomtov explains that only the initial half-Shekel used for the building of the Mishkan was for those over 20. The Machatzis Hashekel given each year for the Korbanos is a separate Mitzvah and applies from the age of 13. This is also the view of the Ramban in his commentary on the Torah.
Most Poskim follow this position concerning the custom of “Machatzis Hashekel”. All of the above is Min Hadin. Elya Rabbah records that the custom nowadays is for a father to give on behalf of all of his sons, even those below Barmitzvah. If a father gives on behalf of his child even once, he must continue to do so each year.
Magen Avraham writes that one is not obligated to give on behalf of women and one’s daughters. He takes the view that women did not give the Biblical Machatzis Hashekel and did not have a personal share in the Korbanos. This is derived from the verse ונתנו איש כופר, that each man should give an atonement the half-Shekel. However other argue and maintain that women are obligated in Machatzis Hashekel.
Darkei Moshe quotes Mahar”I Brin that even a pregnant woman must give “Machatzis Hashekel” on behalf of her fetus. This is alluded to in the Posuk –כֹֹּ֗ל הָעֹבֵר֙ עַל־הַפְּקֻד ִ֔ים the word עוברcan also be read as Ubar, meaning a fetus.
The Vilna Gaon would give a half-Polish coin of gold, as this was the only coin that was called a ‘half’.
If one does not have coins that are called ‘half’ in their location, they should give coins which are half of the currency denomination of the place in which they live. E.g. 50c coin in Australia. The currency denomination used should be a significant amount and not half cents and the like.
Alternatively, one may give 3 whole coins and have in mind that half of each coin is for “Machatzis Hashekel” and the balance is for Tzedaka.
The Biur Halacha records a practise that people would give a small amount for “Machatizs Hashekel” and the Gabbaim would give them 3 silver half-Ruble coins to use as they are both silver and are called a ‘half’. He writes that this practise is not ideal since the coins are recycled and not given as a genuine gift.
Silver weight
The Biblical Machatzis Hashekel was a silver weight based on the Shekel used for consecrated items. The Rambam writes that this was the equivalent of 3 Drahm of silver. The Poskim give different measures of this weight ranging between 8.6 to 9.6 grams of pure silver. At current silver prices this is $6.90 AUD.
Some Poskim write that each of the 3 coins should have a minimum value of the half-Shekel of silver. Others suggest that it is sufficient if the combined value comes to this amount.
The vast majority of Poskim do not write that there is a requirement to give the value of silver. Since this is only a Zecher, it is sufficient to give 3 coins as per above. On the contrary, trying to imitate the half-Shekel for the Korbanos by being precise on the weight could appear like one is actually pledging towards the sacrifices.
When
The Mahari”l writes that the Minhag is to give the “Machatzis Hashekel” coins at Mincha on Taanis Esther. Mesechta Sofrim records that the “Machatzis Hashekel” should be given before Parshas Zachor. Magen Avraham records that the Minhag is to give “Machatzis Hashekel” on the morning of Purim before leining the Megillah. The Mishna Berura rules that the custom nowadays is to give “Machatzis Hashekel” before Mincha and to give Dmei Megillah on the morning of Purim.
What age
The Mahari”l writes that the obligation of giving “Machatzis Hashekel” is from age 20 and up. This follows the view of Rav Ovadiah Bartenura that the Biblical Mitzvah of Machatzis Hashekel was for those over the age of 20. This is derived from the Posuk in Ki Sisa “all who enter into the records, from the age of 20 and above, shall give...”. This is the Psak of the Ram”o.
Tosfos Yomtov writes that this is subject to a Machlokes. The Rambam rules that Machatzis Hashekel had to be given by everyone over Bar Mitzvah. Tosfos Yomtov explains that only the initial half-Shekel used for the building of the Mishkan was for those over 20. The Machatzis Hashekel given each year for the Korbanos is a separate Mitzvah and applies from the age of 13. This is also the view of the Ramban in his commentary on the Torah.
Most Poskim follow this position concerning the custom of “Machatzis Hashekel”. All of the above is Min Hadin. Elya Rabbah records that the custom nowadays is for a father to give on behalf of all of his sons, even those below Barmitzvah. If a father gives on behalf of his child even once, he must continue to do so each year.
Magen Avraham writes that one is not obligated to give on behalf of women and one’s daughters. He takes the view that women did not give the Biblical Machatzis Hashekel and did not have a personal share in the Korbanos. This is derived from the verse ונתנו איש כופר, that each man should give an atonement the half-Shekel. However other argue and maintain that women are obligated in Machatzis Hashekel.
Darkei Moshe quotes Mahar”I Brin that even a pregnant woman must give “Machatzis Hashekel” on behalf of her fetus. This is alluded to in the Posuk –כֹֹּ֗ל הָעֹבֵר֙ עַל־הַפְּקֻד ִ֔ים the word עוברcan also be read as Ubar, meaning a fetus.
The Vilna Gaon would give a half-Polish coin of gold, as this was the only coin that was called a ‘half’.
If one does not have coins that are called ‘half’ in their location, they should give coins which are half of the currency denomination of the place in which they live. E.g. 50c coin in Australia. The currency denomination used should be a significant amount and not half cents and the like.
Alternatively, one may give 3 whole coins and have in mind that half of each coin is for “Machatzis Hashekel” and the balance is for Tzedaka.
The Biur Halacha records a practise that people would give a small amount for “Machatizs Hashekel” and the Gabbaim would give them 3 silver half-Ruble coins to use as they are both silver and are called a ‘half’. He writes that this practise is not ideal since the coins are recycled and not given as a genuine gift.
Silver weight The Biblical Machatzis Hashekel was a silver weight based on the Shekel used for consecrated items. The Rambam writes that this was the equivalent of 3 Drahm of silver. The Poskim give different measures of this weight ranging between 8.6 to 9.6 grams of pure silver. At current silver prices this is $6.90 AUD.
Some Poskim write that each of the 3 coins should have a minimum value of the half-Shekel of silver. Others suggest that it is sufficient if the combined value comes to this amount.
The vast majority of Poskim do not write that there is a requirement to give the value of silver. Since this is only a Zecher, it is sufficient to give 3 coins as per above. On the contrary, trying to imitate the half-Shekel for the Korbanos by being precise on the weight could appear like one is actually pledging towards the sacrifices.
When The Mahari”l writes that the Minhag is to give the “Machatzis Hashekel” coins at Mincha on Taanis Esther. Mesechta Sofrim records that the “Machatzis Hashekel” should be given before Parshas Zachor. Magen Avraham records that the Minhag is to give “Machatzis Hashekel” on the morning of Purim before leining the Megillah. The Mishna Berura rules that the custom nowadays is to give “Machatzis Hashekel” before Mincha and to give Dmei Megillah on the morning of Purim.
