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Exodus 38:26 - Half-shekel unites Israel equally

Exodus 38:26 - שמות 38:26

Hebrew Text

בֶּקַע לַגֻּלְגֹּלֶת מַחֲצִית הַשֶּׁקֶל בְּשֶׁקֶל הַקֹּדֶשׁ לְכֹל הָעֹבֵר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִים מִבֶּן עֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה וָמַעְלָה לְשֵׁשׁ־מֵאוֹת אֶלֶף וּשְׁלֹשֶׁת אֲלָפִים וַחֲמֵשׁ מֵאוֹת וַחֲמִשִּׁים׃

English Translation

a beqa for every man, that is, half a shekel, after the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone that went to be numbered, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred and three thousand, five hundred and fifty men.

Transliteration

Beka lagulgolett machatzit hashekel beshekel hakodesh lechol ha'over al-hapkudim miben esrim shanah vama'alah leshesh-me'ot elef ushloshet alafim vachamesh me'ot vachamishim.

Hebrew Leining Text

בֶּ֚קַע לַגֻּלְגֹּ֔לֶת מַחֲצִ֥ית הַשֶּׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ לְכֹ֨ל הָעֹבֵ֜ר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִ֗ים מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה לְשֵׁשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֙לֶף֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וַחֲמִשִּֽׁים׃
בֶּ֚קַע לַגֻּלְגֹּ֔לֶת מַחֲצִ֥ית הַשֶּׁ֖קֶל בְּשֶׁ֣קֶל הַקֹּ֑דֶשׁ לְכֹ֨ל הָעֹבֵ֜ר עַל־הַפְּקֻדִ֗ים מִבֶּ֨ן עֶשְׂרִ֤ים שָׁנָה֙ וָמַ֔עְלָה לְשֵׁשׁ־מֵא֥וֹת אֶ֙לֶף֙ וּשְׁלֹ֣שֶׁת אֲלָפִ֔ים וַחֲמֵ֥שׁ מֵא֖וֹת וַחֲמִשִּֽׁים׃

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Parasha Commentary

The Half-Shekel Contribution

The verse (Shemot 30:13) commands each Israelite to contribute a beka (half-shekel) as an atonement offering, based on the sacred shekel weight. Rashi explains that this half-shekel served as a census mechanism, ensuring that the people were counted indirectly through their contributions rather than directly, which could invite the "evil eye" (ayin hara). The Rambam (Hilchot Shekalim 1:1) further clarifies that this was an annual obligation for the maintenance of the Beit HaMikdash.

Age and Eligibility

The requirement applied to men twenty years and older, as this was the age of eligibility for military service (Bamidbar 1:3). The Talmud (Shekalim 1:3) discusses whether this obligation extended to women and minors, concluding that while they were exempt from the mandatory half-shekel, they could voluntarily contribute.

Symbolism of the Half-Shekel

  • Equality Before Hashem: The Midrash (Tanchuma Ki Tisa 9) emphasizes that the fixed amount—whether rich or poor—teaches that all Jews are equal in their spiritual standing before G-d.
  • Atonement: The half-shekel served as a kaparah (atonement) for the sin of the Golden Calf, as explained by the Kli Yakar. The word beka (בקע) also alludes to breaking pride, as arrogance was a root cause of the sin.
  • Unity: The half (rather than whole) shekel symbolizes that one must join with others to form a complete unit, reflecting communal responsibility (Sforno).

The Census Total

The verse records 603,550 men eligible for the count. The Baal HaTurim notes that the numerical value of "בקע" (beka) is 172, which corresponds to the 172 words in Parshat Shekalim, hinting at the deep connection between this mitzvah and its textual presentation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Bekhorot 5a
The verse is referenced in a discussion about the half-shekel tax and its application to the counting of the Israelites.
📖 Shekalim 2a
The verse is cited in the context of the annual half-shekel contribution to the Temple and its significance.
📖 Megillah 29b
The verse is mentioned in a discussion about the historical census and the use of the half-shekel for the Tabernacle.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the meaning of the half-shekel (beka) mentioned in Exodus 38:26?
A: The half-shekel (beka) was a mandatory donation given by every Jewish male over 20 years old for the upkeep of the Mishkan (Tabernacle) and later the Temple. According to Rashi, this teaches equality—whether rich or poor, everyone gave the same amount, showing that all are equal before Hashem.
Q: Why was the half-shekel specifically a 'half' and not a whole shekel?
A: The Midrash explains that the half-shekel symbolizes that a person is incomplete on their own and must join with others to fulfill their spiritual purpose. The half represents humility, reminding us that we are part of a greater community (Klal Yisrael).
Q: Who was required to give the half-shekel, and why only those over 20?
A: The Torah specifies that only males aged 20 and older contributed. Rambam (Hilchos Shekalim 1:1) explains that this age marks adulthood in terms of military and communal responsibility, as seen in the census for the desert encampment.
Q: How does the half-shekel apply today?
A: While we no longer bring the half-shekel to the Temple, the custom of giving 'Machatzit HaShekel' before Purim (Esther 9:32) commemorates this mitzvah. Many donate half of the local currency to charity, reinforcing the lessons of unity and shared responsibility.
Q: What is the significance of the 'shekel of the sanctuary' (shekel hakodesh)?
A: The 'shekel of the sanctuary' was a standardized weight used for holy purposes, ensuring fairness in donations. The Talmud (Bechoros 50a) teaches that this shekel was kept in the Temple treasury as a reference to prevent disputes over measurements.