In last week’s edition we discussed the custom of giving “Machatzis Hashekel” as a remembrance of the annual half Shekel contribution that was given to fund the communal sacrifices in the Beis Hamikdash.
In this week’s edition we will explore where the money from these “Machatzis Hashekel” donations should go.
To the poor
Many Poskim write that the proceeds of “Machatzis Hashekel” should be given to the poor. This is based on Mesechta Sofrim which says that the “Machatzis Hashekel” should be used to provide food for their poor brothers as a form of Matanos L’evyonim. Others write that it is preferable to give the money to poor Torah scholars who dedicate themselves to the study of Torah. Kaf Hachaim records a custom of those living in Chutz Laaretz to send their “Machatzis Hashekel” to Chachmei Eretz Yisroel. This mirrors the observance of Machatzis Hashekel in the times of the Beis Hamikdash when Jews in Chutz Laaretz would send their Shekalim to Yerushalaim.
To the Shule
Aruch Hashulchan writes that one may give their “Machatzis Hashekel” to any cause that they wish. It need not be given specifically for the upkeep or maintenance of the Shule which resembles “Bedek Habayis” – the upkeep of the Temple. It seems from this that there is a basis for giving “Machatzis Hashekel” to the Shule since the Shule is a Mikdash Me’at (miniature Beis Hamikdash) and the Biblical Machatzis Hashekel was used for Korbanos that were brought in the Beis Hamikdash. Nonetheless since this our “Machatzis Hashekel” is only a zecher, one need not give it to a Shule.
To the Baal Koreh
The Ba’er Heitev records a custom of giving the “Machatzis Hashekel” proceeds to the Chazzan. This refers to the Baal Koreh who leins the Megillah. He writes that there is no prohibition in doing so, but that one is not Yotzai Matanos L’evyonim if the money is not distributed to the poor. He quotes this custom in the name of the Masas Binyamin as brought by the Magen Avraham.
Shaarei Teshuvah writes that the Ba’er Heitev is mistaken. The Magen Avraham and Masas Binyamin are not referring to “Machatzis Hashekel” but rather to “Maos Purim”. The Magen Avraham is commenting on the second Seif in Shulchan Aruch that teaches; One may not change Maos Purim to be used for a different Tzedaka.
This Halacha refers to the Tzedaka collector. Since he is collecting money from people for the specific purpose of giving to the poor, he is not permitted to change its designation. On this the Masas Binyamin writes that if the custom in that place is to give the money to the Baal Koreh, it is presumed that the giver gives his money with this understanding (even though they are not Yotzai Matanos L’evyonim and the money should not really be called Maos Purim).
Therefore Shaarei Teshuvah rules that there is no source for giving “Machatzis Hashekel” to the Chazzan and if the Gabbai does so, he is depriving the poor of what they are entitled to. He gives first-hand account of Baalei Koreh who tried to claim the “Machatzis Hashekel” for themselves based on the Ba’er Heitev and that after he showed them that the Ba’er Heitev was mistaken, they withdrew.
There are those who disagree with the Shaarei Teshuvah and maintain that the Magen Avraham is discussing “Machatzis Hashekel” and that it may be given to the Chazzan.
To Torah institutions
Rav Ovadiah Yosef writes that the “Machatzis Hashekel” should be given to support Yeshivos and institutions of Torah study. He explains that this is because the Biblical Machatzis Hashekel was used to purchase Korbanos which served to atone for the Jewish people. In the absence of the Beis Hamikdash and Korbanos, Torah study provides this atonement. He illustrates this point by quoting a number of Maamarei Chaza”l;
From the time that the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed, Hashem only rests in this world in the 4 Amos of Halacha i.e. Torah study takes the place of the Beis Hamikdash where the Korbanos would be brought.
Midrash Tanchuma records that Torah study provides atonement for the sins of the Jewish people. Therefore Torah comes as a substitute for the Korbanos which were purchased with the half-Shekels which are called an atonement.
On the Pasuk “I swear to the house of Eli that the sin of the house of Eli will not be atoned through sacrifices and Menachos”, the Gemara comments that whilst their sin cannot be atoned with Korbanos, they can be atoned for through Torah study.
Torah study is greater than sacrifices. Yalkut Shimoni teaches that when the Beis Hamikdash stood, the Mizbeach served as atonement for all of the Jewish people. Now, when the Beis Hamikdash is no longer standing, the Chachamim and their students, through their Torah study, atone for the Jewish people.
In Hoshea Hashem says כִי ח ס ד חָפַּצְּתִי וְּל ֹא זָבַּח וְּדַּעַּת אֱלֹקִים מֵּעֹלוֹת – - “I desire Chessed and not sacrifices, knowledge of Hashem more than Olos”. The Midrash Yalkut Shimoni explains that we learn from this verse that Hashem desires charity and Torah study more than all of the Korbanos in the Torah.
On seeing the ruins of the Beis Hamikdash, Rabbi Yehoshua bemoaned the loss of the Beis Hamikdash which would atone for our sins. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai consoled him that we still have an equal source of atonement, namely Talmud Torah and Gemilus Chassadim.
He concludes his Teshuvah that based on the above it is certainly a great Mitzvah to give the money of “Machatzis Hashekel” to benefit Yeshivos. He concludes with the words of the Gemara that one who places money into the pockets of the Torah scholars will merit to sit in the Heavenly Yeshivah – the Yeshivah Shel Maalah.
- Elya Rabbah, Minchas Elozor 30
- 21:4
- 694:22
- 694:8
- 694:2
- The Ba’er Haitev must be referring to a case where the money is given to the Chazzan on Purim itself, because otherwise one would not be Yotzai Matanos L’evyonim even if the money was given to the poor.
- 694:3
- 694:2. He also writes likewise in Yad Efraim.
- Mishna Berura accordingly quotes this Magen Avraham in his comment of Seif 2
- Minchas Elozor and Mishnas Sachir Siman 230 quoting the Or Zarua and Aruch Hashulchan
- Yechave Daas 1:86
- Brachos 8a
- Rosh Hashona 18a
- Megillah 3a
- Vayikra siman 455
- 6:6
- Yalkut Shimoni
- Pesachim 53b
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A collection of video shorts for the month of Adar
