2/18/98

Parshas Shekalim:

The First Mishna in Masseches Shekalim says that on the 1st of Adar the Beis Din announces about Shekalim and Kilayim. The Shekalim are to be brought during the month of Adar so that when the first of Nissan comes the Beis Hamikdash will be able to bring the Korban Tamid from the new years funds. The announcement about Kilayim is to remind people to clear out any Kilayim in their fields before the spring planting season.

Each Jew is required to bring a half Shekel. This is to emphasize the idea that no one is Shalem on their own, rather each person is part of a whole that is Klal Yisrael. The Adanim of the Mishkan were made from the original Machatziyos Hashekel in the Midbar. These serve as the base and foundation of the entire Mishkan. The phrase "VeHaya HaMishkan Echad" appears again and again in Parshas VaYakhel. The Netziv writes that this is the purpose of the Mishkan . To reflect the Achdus of HKB"H. This is also true of Klal Yisrael. The Gemorra in Berachos says that HKB"H wears Tefillin.. In our Tefilin it says Shema YIsrael HAshem Elokeinu Hashem Echad. In HKB"H's Tefillin it says Mi KeAmcha Yisrael Goy Echad BaAretz. We see that Hashem reflects the Achdus of Yisrael and Yisrael reflects the Achdus of Hashem.

The Shekalim are the source of the constant daily Avoda in the Beis HaMikdash, the Korban Tamid. This is every Jew's share in the Mikdash and its Avoda. Here there is a need to emphasize the concept of Achdus since this is what Mikdash is all about. Therefore each person gives a Machatzis because everything that is incomplete yearns and strives to complete itself and to become Shaleim. Since we are represented by a Machatzis we can all be part of the same whole.

Kilayim on the other hand is the opposite. These are two different things which cannot be united they must be kept apart and any attempt to put them together creates great negativity.

This is why that at the same time as announcing Shekalim we announce Kilayim. We must strive for unity but at the same time we need to know that not just anyone can be part of Goy Echad BaAretz.

Shabbat Shalom
Regards
Rav Segal