Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Exodus 38:25 mean?
A: Exodus 38:25 records the total amount of silver collected from the half-shekel census (Machatzit HaShekel) taken of the Israelite men over 20 years old. The verse specifies the sum as 100 talents and 1,775 shekels of silver, using the sacred shekel weight (Shekel HaKodesh) of the Sanctuary. This silver was used for constructing the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Rashi explains that the half-shekel was a fixed amount for all, teaching equality before Hashem.
Q: Why was the silver collected in Exodus 38:25 important?
A: The silver collected was crucial for building the Mishkan (Tabernacle), Hashem's dwelling place among the Israelites. According to the Talmud (Shekalim 2a), this silver was specifically used to make the sockets (adanim) that held the Mishkan's beams. The Rambam (Hilchot Shekalim 1:1) explains that this census also atoned for the sin of the Golden Calf, showing how material wealth can be elevated for holy purposes.
Q: What lesson can we learn from the half-shekel donation in Exodus 38:25?
A: The Torah teaches that everyone—rich or poor—gave exactly half a shekel (Shemot 30:15), showing that all Jews are equal in contributing to communal holiness. The Midrash (Tanchuma Ki Tisa 9) emphasizes that no one could give more or less, teaching humility and unity. Today, this reminds us that every Jew's participation in mitzvot and community matters equally before Hashem.
Q: How does the 'shekel of the sanctuary' (Shekel HaKodesh) differ from regular currency?
A: The 'shekel of the sanctuary' (Exodus 38:25) was a standardized holy weight used for donations to the Mishkan, not regular trade. Rashi (on Shemot 30:13) explains it weighed 20 gerah (approx. 0.4 oz). The Talmud (Bechorot 50a) states this shekel was kept in the Temple treasury to ensure accuracy for mitzvot like Machatzit HaShekel. Today, we calculate mitzvah values (e.g., Pidyon Haben) based on its equivalent in silver.
Q: How is the half-shekel donation relevant today?
A: Though we no longer bring half-shekels for the Mishkan, we commemorate it annually before Purim by donating to charity (Machatzit HaShekel). The Shulchan Aruch (OC 694:1) rules that on Ta'anit Esther, one gives three half-coins (symbolizing the three times 'terumah' is mentioned in the Torah). This preserves the ideals of unity, atonement, and supporting holy causes, as taught in Shemot 38:25.
Context in the Torah
This verse (Exodus 38:25) appears in the context of the accounting of materials donated for the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). It specifies the total amount of silver collected from the half-shekel contributions of the Israelites, as commanded in Exodus 30:11-16.
The Half-Shekel Contribution
Rashi explains that this silver came from the mandatory half-shekel donation given by every male Israelite aged 20 and above, as an atonement following the sin of the Golden Calf (Ki Tisa). The Torah emphasizes that this was measured "after the shekel of the sanctuary" - the sacred standard weight maintained by the Temple authorities.
Numerical Significance
The total amount breaks down as:
The Kli Yakar notes that the 100 talents correspond to the 100 blessings we should strive to say daily (based on Deuteronomy 10:12), while the 1,775 shekels may hint at the 177 years of Abraham's life (175) plus the 2 years until Isaac's birth, connecting the Mishkan to our patriarchs.
The Sanctuary Shekel Standard
Rambam (Hilchot Shekalim 1:5) discusses how the "shekel of the sanctuary" was a standardized weight measure kept by the Temple authorities to ensure accurate measurements for all sacred contributions. The Ibn Ezra adds that this prevented disputes about weights and measures in holy matters.
Purpose of the Silver
As explained in Exodus 38:27-28, this silver was used specifically for:
The Sforno teaches that the sockets - the foundation of the Mishkan - being made from atonement money symbolizes that proper atonement forms the foundation of divine service.