Difference between revisions of "Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle/2"
(Original Author: Neima Novetsky, Rabbi Hillel Novetsky) |
(Original Author: Neima Novetsky, Rabbi Hillel Novetsky) |
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<point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – Rashi states that the census in the second year in the wilderness was also performed using shekalim.<fn>He would presumably hold the same position regarding the count in the fortieth year.</fn></point> | <point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – Rashi states that the census in the second year in the wilderness was also performed using shekalim.<fn>He would presumably hold the same position regarding the count in the fortieth year.</fn></point> | ||
<point><b>Post-census donation in Bemidbar 31</b> – </point> | <point><b>Post-census donation in Bemidbar 31</b> – </point> | ||
− | <point><b>Shaul's censuses</b> – Rashi follows <multilink><a href="BavliYoma22b" data-aht="source">Bavli Yoma</a><a href="BavliYoma22b" data-aht="source">Yoma 22b</a><a href=" | + | <point><b>Shaul's censuses</b> – Rashi follows <multilink><a href="BavliYoma22b" data-aht="source">Bavli Yoma</a><a href="BavliYoma22b" data-aht="source">Yoma 22b</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>,<fn>See also <multilink><a href="TanchumaKiTisa9" data-aht="source">Tanchuma</a><a href="TanchumaKiTisa9" data-aht="source">Ki Tisa 9</a><a href="Tanchuma" data-aht="parshan">About the Tanchuma</a></multilink>.</fn> in explaining that Shaul counted objects, rather than simply counting the people themselves. They read "בְּבָזֶק" and "בַּטְּלָאִים" as the names of those items.</point> |
− | <point><b>David's census and Divine punishment</b> – Rashi, in the footsteps of <multilink><a href="BavliBerakhot62b" data-aht="source">Bavli Berakhot</a><a href="BavliBerakhot62b" data-aht="source">Berakhot 62b</a><a href=" | + | <point><b>David's census and Divine punishment</b> – Rashi, in the footsteps of <multilink><a href="BavliBerakhot62b" data-aht="source">Bavli Berakhot</a><a href="BavliBerakhot62b" data-aht="source">Berakhot 62b</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, understands that the plague came in the time of David because he counted the people without using shekalim.</point> |
<point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – The silver collected from the census in the first year was used for the silver sockets of the Tabernacle. Thus, for Rashi and Cassuto, "עֲבֹדַת" refers to the construction work of the Mishkan, rather than its ongoing service.<fn>See the discussion above of Shadal's interpretation.</fn></point> | <point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – The silver collected from the census in the first year was used for the silver sockets of the Tabernacle. Thus, for Rashi and Cassuto, "עֲבֹדַת" refers to the construction work of the Mishkan, rather than its ongoing service.<fn>See the discussion above of Shadal's interpretation.</fn></point> | ||
<point><b>Contributions mandated by Yoash</b> – This approach would need to explain like Shadal above.<fn>The commentary on Divrei HaYamim (II 24:5-6) attributed to Rashi understands "מַשְׂאַת מֹשֶׁה" to refer to the obligation of giving half-shekalim. However, this is not Rashi's own commentary.</fn></point> | <point><b>Contributions mandated by Yoash</b> – This approach would need to explain like Shadal above.<fn>The commentary on Divrei HaYamim (II 24:5-6) attributed to Rashi understands "מַשְׂאַת מֹשֶׁה" to refer to the obligation of giving half-shekalim. However, this is not Rashi's own commentary.</fn></point> | ||
<point><b>One-third shekel donation in Nechemyah</b> – Cassuto notes that this ordinance was completely distinct from the obligation of the half-shekalim in any census. Thus, it was also a different amount.</point> | <point><b>One-third shekel donation in Nechemyah</b> – Cassuto notes that this ordinance was completely distinct from the obligation of the half-shekalim in any census. Thus, it was also a different amount.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>The halakhic requirement to give half-shekels</b> – Rashi in his alternate interpretation of 30:15 notes that our verses contain a "hint" ("רמז") to the annual obligation to donate a half-shekel to the Mikdash.<fn>The basis for Rashi's position may be found in both <multilink><a href="YerushalmiShekalim1-1" data-aht="source">Yerushalmi Shekalim</a><a href="YerushalmiShekalim1-1" data-aht="source">Shekalim 1:1</a><a href="Yerushalmi" data-aht="parshan">About the Yerushalmi</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="BavliMegillah29b" data-aht="source">Bavli Megillah</a><a href="BavliMegillah29b" data-aht="source">Megillah 29b</a><a href=" | + | <point><b>The halakhic requirement to give half-shekels</b> – Rashi in his alternate interpretation of 30:15 notes that our verses contain a "hint" ("רמז") to the annual obligation to donate a half-shekel to the Mikdash.<fn>The basis for Rashi's position may be found in both <multilink><a href="YerushalmiShekalim1-1" data-aht="source">Yerushalmi Shekalim</a><a href="YerushalmiShekalim1-1" data-aht="source">Shekalim 1:1</a><a href="Yerushalmi" data-aht="parshan">About the Yerushalmi</a></multilink> and <multilink><a href="BavliMegillah29b" data-aht="source">Bavli Megillah</a><a href="BavliMegillah29b" data-aht="source">Megillah 29b</a><a href="Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>.</fn> It is likely that he would maintain that this is not Biblically mandated.</point> |
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Version as of 00:31, 22 January 2015
Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle?
Exegetical Approaches
Overview
Commentators disagree over the circumstances which mandate the donations detailed in Shemot 30:12-16. One group of commentators explain that the census is the determining factor. Within this option, Shadal maintains that half-shekels were given only in the very first census in the wilderness, while Rashi asserts that a similar procedure was followed in subsequent countings as well.
A second category of exegetes argues that support of the Mishkan or Mikdash is the main purpose, and that there is no need to give during a census. This approach also divides, with Josephus positing that the verses describe a one-off contribution to build the Mishkan, and R. Saadia claiming that the Torah is speaking of an annual obligation to support Hashem's Sanctuary. Finally, some commentators suggest that both a census and the Mishkan play a role, with Chizkuni positing that a combination of both a census and a capital campaign was required for there to be an obligation to donate, and Ramban concluding that either factor alone could suffice.
Census Focused
Shemot 30:12-16 commands Moshe to conduct a census using shekalim, rather than through a simple headcount. While the proceeds are used for the Tabernacle, this is not the main objective, and the Torah is not mandating a regular donation to the Mikdash.
One-time Obligation
These verses were an instruction on only a single occasion in the wilderness to count the nation via the giving of half-shekels. All future censuses, in contrast, do not require a similar donation.
All Future Censuses
These verses constitute an enduring ordinance that all future censuses be performed through the counting of donated items such as half-shekels, rather than via a forbidden headcount.
Mishkan Contributions
The Torah is mandating financial support for the Mikdash, and a census is merely a vehicle through which this is achieved.
One-time Building Fund
The verses in Shemot 30 were an ephemeral command to donate for the construction of the Tabernacle, and this was in effect only during the first year in the wilderness. This obligation does not apply to future generations.
Ongoing Maintenance
These verses are an eternal mitzvah to provide annual support for the Mishkan or Mikdash.
Combination of Factors
Both the need for a census and the requirement to support the Mishkan/Mikdash are involved in the obligation to give the half-shekels. Commentators discuss whether both factors must be present, or whether each factor suffices on its own.
- A periodic obligation – According to Chizkuni, the two commands are connected and relate to only certain periods in history. Any time that there is both a need to count and a need to build a Tabernacle/Temple, one must do so through a half shekel donation.
- Both are ongoing – Ramban asserts that there is both an ongoing obligation to give a half shekel whenever there is a census and a separate annual obligation to contribute shekalim to the Mikdash.
- One and one – According to the GR"A, the command to give some sort of redemptive object when counting is an ongoing obligation for future generations,40 whereas the command to give half shekels for the Tabernacle was a one time command for the generation of the desert.41
- Sin of pride – Ramban43 asserts that David's census did actually involve a collection of shekalim,44 but a plague came nonetheless since David had no purpose in the counting and was thus culpable of a certain hubris.45
- Lost protection – Chizkuni argues that the plague came because the silver from the Tabernacle was no longer around to protect during a census.
- No ransom – According to the GR"A, the plague came because David did not count in the proper way, and did not collect some redemptive object.46