3.16.25
Good morning!
Passover is just around the corner! Yesterday‘s Torah portion opens with the Lord commanding for each of the Israelite men who are at least 20 years of age to bring a half shekel to the Lord..
"Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary a shekel is 20 gerahs, a half shekel as an offering to the Lord everyone who is numbered in the census from 20 years old and upward shall give the Lord‘s offering. The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord's offering to make atonement for your souls" (Exodus 30:13–15)
The most difficult question of this opening verses, that I answer in the Shabbat morning zoom call is, 'how can we make an atonement for our souls without shedding blood'? Did you know that there are at least 8 ways to atone for your soul in Scripture? If you aren't familiar with this truth, you'll want to check out the zoom call...it'll make a difference in your marriage, your family, your business and even your physical health.
From another perspective, the most common question asked about this passage is why only a half shekel? The most common answer, to the most common question, is that only when we work together, are we able to create the whole. However, I would like to add a slight nuance to this understanding.
First, Although the Torah tells us that this half shekel was given by the children of Israel, in order to make atonement for their souls (Exodus 30:15), the Lord continues by telling Moses...
"you should take the atonement money from the people of Israel to give it for the service of the tent meeting that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your souls" (Exodus 30:16)
We know from this that the money was somehow used for the service of the tent meeting, but how was this money actually utilized? Numbers 28:14 tells us that the funds through this means were used to purchase livestock for communal offerings, which included the daily tamid offerings (Ex. 29:38-42; Rom. 8:36,37), as well as the silver sockets that hold the entire tabernacle structure together (Ex. 28:25-27).
Do you want to know how all these things tie together for our 21st century living? Check out Friday night's call.
"Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary a shekel is 20 gerahs, a half shekel as an offering to the Lord everyone who is numbered in the census from 20 years old and upward shall give the Lord‘s offering. The rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when you give the Lord's offering to make atonement for your souls" (Exodus 30:13–15)
The most difficult question of this opening verses, that I answer in the Shabbat morning zoom call is, 'how can we make an atonement for our souls without shedding blood'? Did you know that there are at least 8 ways to atone for your soul in Scripture? If you aren't familiar with this truth, you'll want to check out the zoom call...it'll make a difference in your marriage, your family, your business and even your physical health.
From another perspective, the most common question asked about this passage is why only a half shekel? The most common answer, to the most common question, is that only when we work together, are we able to create the whole. However, I would like to add a slight nuance to this understanding.
First, Although the Torah tells us that this half shekel was given by the children of Israel, in order to make atonement for their souls (Exodus 30:15), the Lord continues by telling Moses...
"you should take the atonement money from the people of Israel to give it for the service of the tent meeting that it may bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord, so as to make atonement for your souls" (Exodus 30:16)
We know from this that the money was somehow used for the service of the tent meeting, but how was this money actually utilized? Numbers 28:14 tells us that the funds through this means were used to purchase livestock for communal offerings, which included the daily tamid offerings (Ex. 29:38-42; Rom. 8:36,37), as well as the silver sockets that hold the entire tabernacle structure together (Ex. 28:25-27).
Do you want to know how all these things tie together for our 21st century living? Check out Friday night's call.
How does this half shekel fulfill the reason... "and bring the people of Israel to remembrance before the Lord..."? It happens when we work together in Ki Tisa, we learn that the Lord designated Bezaleel and Aholiab as the primary artisans who would be in charge of making everything that was needed for the tabernacle from start to finish (Ex. 31). He also appointed other craftsmen to assist them because they weren't supposed to do everything themselves. They were supposed to be the lead craftsmen, but what about the common Israelites that were not craftsmen? Did they play any parts in the work? Also back in the tour portion of Terumah, we learned that every Israelite would have an opportunity to contribute to the creation of the tabernacle and its furnishings by donating items that would be used for its construction (Ex. 25:2-9); the tabernacle and its structure were not disconnected from the common Israelite. Every individual was personally invested in its successful completion and ultimately its purpose. So how does this relate to us today?
The author of Hebrews reminds us that we continue to share a role together with our brothers and sisters in Messiah, saying "do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices or pleasing to God" (Hebrews 13:16). Yeshua, quoting from the Torah said, "whatsoever you wish that others would do to you to also to them for this is the law and the prophets" (Matthew 7:12).
Even though we should all have a personal faith experience and a personal connection to our creator, our faith finds its strength in community; despite the sentiments of Cain that we are not our brother's keeper (Gen. 4:9). What we do with our others, and for others will determine both of our destinies.
The half shekel was an amount that everyone was able to contribute. We’re told that it was a fixed amount that each person was required to give. The rich could not get more and the poor could not give less. This reminds us that we don’t have to do something elaborate to make a difference; I call them making 'love deposits'. Each time we invest in the lives of another person, no matter how seemingly small and insignificant it may be as if we are adding our half shekel to theirs in order to make a whole; a whole person not just a whole shekel. A half shekel can end up making whole people, but it does take everyone doing their part. Sometimes our tiny actions, even if they don’t seem that they can affect those around us, truly do. Our actions, no matter how large or small, can have ramifications we never dreamed of.
Have a fantastic 1st day of the week!
Passover's coming? Where will you celebrate (1 Cor. 5:6-8)?
Shalom
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