The Half Shekel and Tzedakah: Acting Beyond Our Egos

 In describing the mitzvah of the half shekel, the Torah at the beginning of Parshat Ki Tisa states: “The rich shall give no more, and the poor shall give no less than half a shekel.” The half shekel is a contribution that every obligated Jew contributes in an equal fashion. The Rambam expounds on the obligation of the poor to contribute this half shekel: “Even a poor man who derives his livelihood from charity is obligated [to make this donation]. He should borrow from others or sell the clothes5 he is wearing so that he can give a half-shekel of silver.” Rav Aharon Lichtenstein zt’l notes that this is the only mitzvah in the Torah that requires a poor person to sell his garments in order to fulfill the obligation. This might be because the half shekel is referred to as “an atonement for your souls”, and everyone can use some atonement.

Additionally, the half shekels were used to purchase animals that were brought as communal sacrifices which would facilitate atonement for the nation as a whole. Rav Lichtenstein notes that it would be inappropriate for a person to enjoy the benefits of this communal atonement without participating in the burden (financial and others) required to attain it. This is an important lesson that extends far beyond the half shekel and communal sacrifices. If we benefit from Jewish communal resources, whether directly or indirectly, then we should feel a sense of responsibility to contribute to the ongoing vitality and expansion of those resources.

Rav Lichtenstein notes that when it comes to the laws of Tzedakah, the Rambam similarly writes that even a poor person who himself is dependent on charity must give something to tzedakah on an annual basis (Laws of Matnot Aniyim 7:1-5). Why must a beneficiary of tzedakah still give his own tzedakah? Rav Lichtenstein explains that Halacha wants every person to be a giver in some way and at some time; even if that person is most often a receiver. By being a giver a person will leave his self-centered perspective and see/ assist others in need.

The Talmud in Baba Batra (8b) teaches that Beit Din is empowered to compel a person to give tzedakah. Some of the commentators ask on this rule based on another Talmudic teaching that “any Beit Din cannot compel a person to perform any commandment that has a specific reward stated in the Torah”. And tzedakah is a mitzvah whose reward is specified in the Torah (Devarim 15:10): “You shall surely give him, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him; for because of this thing the Lord, your God, will bless you in all your work and in all your endeavors.” Rav Lichtenstein suggested that the reason Beit Din can compel the performance of tzedakah is out of a concern for the moral health of society. Beit Din is empowered to educate the community and to  compel people move out of their natural egocentric perspective and consider other people and their needs as an expression of their role as part of the Jewish community.