Difference between revisions of "Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle/2"
>Import script (Original Author: Neima Novetsky, Rabbi Hillel Novetsky) |
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<div class="overview"> | <div class="overview"> | ||
<h2>Overview</h2> | <h2>Overview</h2> | ||
− | <p>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 | + | <p>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.</p> |
+ | <p>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 view also divides, with Rashbam 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 requiring a combination of both a census and a capital campaign to create an obligation to donate, and Ramban concluding that each factor alone warrants a collection.</p> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
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<p>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.</p> | <p>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.</p> | ||
<opinion name="">One-time Obligation | <opinion name="">One-time Obligation | ||
− | <p>These verses were an instruction for | + | <p>These verses were an instruction for 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.</p> |
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
<multilink><aht source="ShadalShemot30-12">Shadal</aht><aht source="ShadalShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht parshan="Shadal">About R. S.D. Luzzatto</aht></multilink><fn>In his earlier work, HaMishtadel, Shadal adopted a somewhat different position – see below.</fn> | <multilink><aht source="ShadalShemot30-12">Shadal</aht><aht source="ShadalShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht parshan="Shadal">About R. S.D. Luzzatto</aht></multilink><fn>In his earlier work, HaMishtadel, Shadal adopted a somewhat different position – see below.</fn> | ||
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<point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – The monies collected were used for the original construction of the Tabernacle. The requirement was not motivated by a need for donations,<fn>Shadal argues against Abarbanel who views the collection as part of plan to ensure that enough money is collected, pointing out that the nation brought more than enough of every other material so there would have been no fear that they would not have provided enough silver as well. The shekels were used for the Tabernacle just to prevent the need for other redemptions during future censuses.</fn> and was not mandated for any future upkeep. "עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד", thus, refers not to maintenance and continued service in the Tabernacle, but to the initial building.</point> | <point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – The monies collected were used for the original construction of the Tabernacle. The requirement was not motivated by a need for donations,<fn>Shadal argues against Abarbanel who views the collection as part of plan to ensure that enough money is collected, pointing out that the nation brought more than enough of every other material so there would have been no fear that they would not have provided enough silver as well. The shekels were used for the Tabernacle just to prevent the need for other redemptions during future censuses.</fn> and was not mandated for any future upkeep. "עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד", thus, refers not to maintenance and continued service in the Tabernacle, but to the initial building.</point> | ||
<point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – In both of these censuses, the nation was not counted via half-shekels, and thus none are mentioned.</point> | <point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – In both of these censuses, the nation was not counted via half-shekels, and thus none are mentioned.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>Shaul's censuses</b> – These do not mention a half-shekel, as none were needed.</point> | + | <point><b>Shaul's censuses</b> – These do not mention a half-shekel, as none were needed. He would likely explain both "בָזֶק" and "טְּלָאִים" as names of places.</point> |
<point><b>David's census and Divine punishment</b> – David was punished not because he did not count via shekalim but because he counted without good reason, just for his own glorification.<fn>Shadal further proposes that at this juncture David collected donations for the Mikdash, which could then serve as future atonement.</fn></point> | <point><b>David's census and Divine punishment</b> – David was punished not because he did not count via shekalim but because he counted without good reason, just for his own glorification.<fn>Shadal further proposes that at this juncture David collected donations for the Mikdash, which could then serve as future atonement.</fn></point> | ||
<point><b>Contributions mandated by Yoash</b> – Shadal might propose that this was a special command of Yoash to bring donations for renovations of the Temple. Yoash is upset not because the people are not fulfilling a Torah prescription, but because of the lack of contributions. It is possible that he refers to these monies as "מַשְׂאַת מֹשֶׁה" not because they were originally mandated by Moshe, but to give more credence to his request, and to compare them to the nation's original donations to the Tabernacle.</point> | <point><b>Contributions mandated by Yoash</b> – Shadal might propose that this was a special command of Yoash to bring donations for renovations of the Temple. Yoash is upset not because the people are not fulfilling a Torah prescription, but because of the lack of contributions. It is possible that he refers to these monies as "מַשְׂאַת מֹשֶׁה" not because they were originally mandated by Moshe, but to give more credence to his request, and to compare them to the nation's original donations to the Tabernacle.</point> | ||
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<opinion name="">All Future Censuses | <opinion name="">All Future Censuses | ||
− | <p>These verses constitute an enduring ordinance that all future censuses be performed | + | <p>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.</p> |
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
<multilink><aht source="RashiShemot30-12">Rashi</aht><aht source="RashiShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="RashiShemot30-15">Shemot 30:15</aht><aht source="RashiShemot30-16">Shemot 30:16</aht><aht source="RashiBemidbar1-2">Bemidbar 1:2</aht><aht source="RashiShemuelI11-8">Shemuel I 11:8</aht><aht source="RashiShemuelI15-4">Shemuel I 15:4</aht><aht parshan="Rashi">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</aht></multilink>, | <multilink><aht source="RashiShemot30-12">Rashi</aht><aht source="RashiShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="RashiShemot30-15">Shemot 30:15</aht><aht source="RashiShemot30-16">Shemot 30:16</aht><aht source="RashiBemidbar1-2">Bemidbar 1:2</aht><aht source="RashiShemuelI11-8">Shemuel I 11:8</aht><aht source="RashiShemuelI15-4">Shemuel I 15:4</aht><aht parshan="Rashi">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</aht></multilink>, | ||
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<p>The Torah is mandating financial support for the Mikdash, and a census is merely a vehicle through which this is achieved.</p> | <p>The Torah is mandating financial support for the Mikdash, and a census is merely a vehicle through which this is achieved.</p> | ||
<opinion name="">One-time Building Fund | <opinion name="">One-time Building Fund | ||
− | <p> | + | <p>The verses in Shemot 30 were a transient 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.</p> |
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
<multilink><aht source="Josephus3-8-2">Josephus</aht><aht source="Josephus3-8-2">Antiquities 3:8:2 (194-196)</aht><aht source="Josephus18-9-1">Antiquities 18:9:1 (312)</aht><aht parshan="Josephus" /></multilink>, | <multilink><aht source="Josephus3-8-2">Josephus</aht><aht source="Josephus3-8-2">Antiquities 3:8:2 (194-196)</aht><aht source="Josephus18-9-1">Antiquities 18:9:1 (312)</aht><aht parshan="Josephus" /></multilink>, | ||
<multilink><aht source="RashbamShemot30-12">Rashbam</aht><aht source="RashbamShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="RashbamShemot35-1">Shemot 35:1</aht><aht parshan="Rashbam">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</aht></multilink>, | <multilink><aht source="RashbamShemot30-12">Rashbam</aht><aht source="RashbamShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="RashbamShemot35-1">Shemot 35:1</aht><aht parshan="Rashbam">About R. Shemuel b. Meir</aht></multilink>, | ||
+ | <multilink><aht source="AbarbanelShemot30Q">Abarbanel</aht><aht source="AbarbanelShemot30Q">Shemot 30 Questions 1-4</aht><aht source="AbarbanelShemot30-11">Abarbanel Shemot 30:11-14</aht><aht source="AbarbanelShemot30-15">Abarbanel Shemot 30:15</aht><aht source="AbarbanelBemidbar1-2">Abarbanel Bemidbar 1:2</aht><aht parshan="Abarbanel">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</aht></multilink>,<fn>Cf. <multilink><aht source="Akeidat52Q">Akeidat Yitzchak</aht><aht source="Akeidat52Q">Shemot #52 Questions 1-4</aht><aht parshan="Akeidat Yitzchak">About R. Yitzchak Arama</aht></multilink>.</fn> | ||
<multilink><aht source="HoilBemidbar1-2">Hoil Moshe</aht><aht source="HoilBemidbar1-2">Bemidbar 1:2</aht><aht parshan="Hoil Moshe">About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi</aht></multilink> | <multilink><aht source="HoilBemidbar1-2">Hoil Moshe</aht><aht source="HoilBemidbar1-2">Bemidbar 1:2</aht><aht parshan="Hoil Moshe">About R. Moshe Yitzchak Ashkenazi</aht></multilink> | ||
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
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<multilink><aht source="IbnEzraShemotLong30-12">Ibn Ezra</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotLong30-12">Shemot Long Commentary 30:12</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotLong30-16">Shemot Long Commentary 30:16</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotShort30-12">Shemot Short Commentary 30:12</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotShort30-16">Shemot Short Commentary 30:16</aht><aht parshan="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" /></multilink> | <multilink><aht source="IbnEzraShemotLong30-12">Ibn Ezra</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotLong30-12">Shemot Long Commentary 30:12</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotLong30-16">Shemot Long Commentary 30:16</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotShort30-12">Shemot Short Commentary 30:12</aht><aht source="IbnEzraShemotShort30-16">Shemot Short Commentary 30:16</aht><aht parshan="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" /></multilink> | ||
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
− | <point><b>"כִּי תִשָּׂא"</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>"כִּי תִשָּׂא"</b> – Though the phrase refers to an annual counting of the people, what is actually being mandated is an annual giving of half shekels, through which the nation's number will be known. The census is really a means to an end.</point> |
<point><b>Concern of a plague</b> – The plague results from a laxity in giving contributions to the Tabernacle or Temple and is unrelated to the census.<fn>One can count without fear of repercussion even if no redemptive money is collected. Conversely, even if one counts via shekalim, if no monies were donated to the Temple, plague might result.</fn></point> | <point><b>Concern of a plague</b> – The plague results from a laxity in giving contributions to the Tabernacle or Temple and is unrelated to the census.<fn>One can count without fear of repercussion even if no redemptive money is collected. Conversely, even if one counts via shekalim, if no monies were donated to the Temple, plague might result.</fn></point> | ||
− | <point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – This refers to the general upkeep and ongoing service of the Temple, including provisions for the sacrifices and the like.<fn>R. Saadia points to the similar language in Yehoshua 22:27, "לַעֲבֹד אֶת עֲבֹדַת ה' לְפָנָיו בְּעֹלוֹתֵינוּ וּבִזְבָחֵינוּ וּבִשְׁלָמֵינוּ " where עבודה explicitly refers to sacrifices.</fn></point> | + | <point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – This refers to the general upkeep and ongoing service of the Temple, including provisions for the sacrifices and the like.<fn>R. Saadia points to the similar language in Yehoshua 22:27, "לַעֲבֹד אֶת עֲבֹדַת ה' לְפָנָיו בְּעֹלוֹתֵינוּ וּבִזְבָחֵינוּ וּבִשְׁלָמֵינוּ" where עבודה explicitly refers to sacrifices.</fn></point> |
<point><b>Census in Pekudei</b> – </point> | <point><b>Census in Pekudei</b> – </point> | ||
<point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – As there is no obligation to count via shekalim, none are mentioned in these censuses.</point> | <point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – As there is no obligation to count via shekalim, none are mentioned in these censuses.</point> | ||
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<point><b>One-third shekel donation in Nechemyah</b> – According to R. Saadia this was an additional third beyond the half shekel mandated by the Torah. As the returning nation was small in number, they realized that the temple expenses would not be covered if each just gave a half shekel.<fn>He supports the idea that this was an additional obligation taken upon the people by themselves from the language in Nechemyah 10:33, ""וְהֶעֱמַדְנוּ עָלֵינוּ מִצְוֹת לָתֵת עָלֵינוּ שְׁלִשִׁית הַשֶּׁקֶל בַּשָּׁנָה </fn></point> | <point><b>One-third shekel donation in Nechemyah</b> – According to R. Saadia this was an additional third beyond the half shekel mandated by the Torah. As the returning nation was small in number, they realized that the temple expenses would not be covered if each just gave a half shekel.<fn>He supports the idea that this was an additional obligation taken upon the people by themselves from the language in Nechemyah 10:33, ""וְהֶעֱמַדְנוּ עָלֵינוּ מִצְוֹת לָתֵת עָלֵינוּ שְׁלִשִׁית הַשֶּׁקֶל בַּשָּׁנָה </fn></point> | ||
<point><b>The custom of giving half-shekels</b> – According to R. Saadia, this is not just a custom, but a Torah-mandated law.</point> | <point><b>The custom of giving half-shekels</b> – According to R. Saadia, this is not just a custom, but a Torah-mandated law.</point> | ||
− | <point><b>Polemical motivations</b> – R. Saadia may be motivated by a desire to find explicit support in Torah for the Rabbinic position regarding annual contributions to the Temple, in | + | <point><b>Polemical motivations</b> – R. Saadia may be motivated by a desire to find explicit support in Torah for the Rabbinic position regarding annual contributions to the Temple, in order to counter the arguments of the Karaites who claimed that there was no such obligation.</point> |
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<point><b>Crux of the position</b> – </point> | <point><b>Crux of the position</b> – </point> | ||
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<category name="">Combination of Factors | <category name="">Combination of Factors | ||
− | <p></p> | + | <p>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.</p> |
<mekorot> | <mekorot> | ||
<multilink><aht source="ChizkuniShemot30-12">Chizkuni</aht><aht source="ChizkuniShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="ChizkuniShemot30-16">Shemot 30:16</aht><aht parshan="Chizkuni">About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach</aht></multilink>, | <multilink><aht source="ChizkuniShemot30-12">Chizkuni</aht><aht source="ChizkuniShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="ChizkuniShemot30-16">Shemot 30:16</aht><aht parshan="Chizkuni">About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach</aht></multilink>, | ||
<multilink><aht source="RambanShemot30-12">Ramban</aht><aht source="RambanShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="RambanBemidbar1-3">Bemidbar 1:3</aht><aht source="RambanBemidbar16-21">Bemidbar 16:21</aht><aht parshan="Ramban">About R. Moshe Nachmanides</aht></multilink>, | <multilink><aht source="RambanShemot30-12">Ramban</aht><aht source="RambanShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht source="RambanBemidbar1-3">Bemidbar 1:3</aht><aht source="RambanBemidbar16-21">Bemidbar 16:21</aht><aht parshan="Ramban">About R. Moshe Nachmanides</aht></multilink>, | ||
− | |||
<multilink><aht source="MinchahShemot30-13">Minchah Belulah</aht><aht source="MinchahShemot30-13">Shemot 30:13</aht><aht parshan="Minchah Belulah">About R. Avraham Rappo of Porto</aht></multilink>, | <multilink><aht source="MinchahShemot30-13">Minchah Belulah</aht><aht source="MinchahShemot30-13">Shemot 30:13</aht><aht parshan="Minchah Belulah">About R. Avraham Rappo of Porto</aht></multilink>, | ||
<multilink><aht source="GraShemot30-11">Vilna Gaon (GR"A)</aht><aht source="GraShemot30-11">Aderet Eliyahu Shemot 30:11</aht><aht parshan="Vilna Gaon">About R. Eliyahu Kramer</aht></multilink>, | <multilink><aht source="GraShemot30-11">Vilna Gaon (GR"A)</aht><aht source="GraShemot30-11">Aderet Eliyahu Shemot 30:11</aht><aht parshan="Vilna Gaon">About R. Eliyahu Kramer</aht></multilink>, | ||
− | <multilink><aht source="MalbimShemot30-12">Malbim</aht><aht source="MalbimShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht parshan="Malbim">About R. Meir Leibush Weiser</aht></multilink> | + | <multilink><aht source="MalbimShemot30-12">Malbim</aht><aht source="MalbimShemot30-12">Shemot 30:12</aht><aht parshan="Malbim">About R. Meir Leibush Weiser</aht></multilink> |
</mekorot> | </mekorot> | ||
− | + | <point><b>One time or ongoing?</b> | |
− | <point><b>One time or ongoing?</b> </point> | + | <ul> |
+ | <li><b>A periodic obligation</b> – According to Chizkuni, the two commands are connected and relate to various generations. Any time that there is both a need to count and a need to build a Temple/tabernacle, one must do so through a half shekel donation.</li> | ||
+ | <li><b>Both are ongoing</b> – 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 Temple.</li> | ||
+ | <li><b>One and one </b>– According to the Gr"a the command to give some sort of redemptive object when counting is an ongoing obligation for future generations<fn>Since the Gr"a maintains that the census in the desert only took place in the second year, he can not say that the first verse applies to the present. This leads him to separate it from the rest of the section.</fn> whereas the command to give half shekels for the Tabernacle was a one time command for the generation of the desert.<fn>The Gr"a sees the unit as being composed of two distinct sections. While verse 12 is a command aimed at future generations, the rest of the unit is aimed only at the generation of the desert. As such, the collection of shekalim relates only to the Tabernacle donation, while future cenuses mandate any redemptive object.</fn></li> | ||
+ | </ul> | ||
+ | </point> | ||
<point><b>Why only one time?</b> </point> | <point><b>Why only one time?</b> </point> | ||
− | <point><b>"כִּי תִשָּׂא"</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>"כִּי תִשָּׂא"</b> – – According to this approach, the command to give something (either shekalim or another redemptive object) when counting is an ongoing one. The language "when you count" can be understood in its simple sense.</point> |
− | <point><b>Concern of a plague</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>Concern of a plague</b> – Though not mentioned explicitly, this approach apparently assumes that counting people directly somehow results in a plague. </point> |
− | <point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>"עֲבֹדַת אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד"</b> – According to Ramban this refers to maintenance of the Mikdash , while according to Chizkuni and the Gr"a it refers to the actual building of the Tabernacle/ Temple.</point> |
<point><b>Census in Pekudei</b> – </point> | <point><b>Census in Pekudei</b> – </point> | ||
− | <point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>Censuses in Bemidbar 1 and 26</b> – Chizkuni asserts that no redemption was necessary as the silver from the first census was still in use in the Tabernacle. Ramban, in contrast, maintains that half shekels were collected during these censuses even though they are not mentioned in the verses.<fn>He suggests that the language of "תפקדו אותם" rather than simply "תמנו" hints to this as it connotes a certain watching over.</fn></point> |
− | <point><b>Shaul's censuses</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>Shaul's censuses</b> – The Gr"a maintains that any redemptive object can be used when counting and would likely explain "טְּלָאִים" as lambs and "בָזֶק" as another object.<fn>Ramban??</fn> According to Chizkuni, it is possible that the protection afforded by the Tabernacle was still in effect and so nothing was needed when counting.</point> |
− | <point><b>David's census and Divine punishment</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>David's census and Divine punishment</b> – Ramban<fn>See his comments in Bemidbar 1.</fn> asserts that David's census did actually involve a collection of shekalim,<fn>he finds it inconceivable that david would not be aware of the prohibition, or that Yoav, who was upset at the request, would not have corrected this aspect himself. moreover, he points to the usage of the word "מפקד" as support that the census was done via objects.</fn> but a plague came nonetheless since David had no purpose in the counting and was thus culpable of a certain hubris.<fn>In his comments in Shemot, in contrast, Ramban suggests that David did not know that the law was for all generations and thus erred.</fn> According to the Gr"a, in contrast, the plague came because David did not count in the proper way, and did not collect some redemptive object.<fn>This is not explicit in his comments but appears to be what he is suggesting.</fn> Chizkuni argues that the plague came because the silver from the Tabernacle was no longer around to protect during a census.</point> |
− | <point><b>Contributions mandated by Yoash</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>Contributions mandated by Yoash</b> – According to Ramban, this is related to the annual contribution that is mandated by the Torah. The others might suggest that this was the king's personal request of the nation.</point> |
− | <point><b>One-third shekel donation in Nechemyah</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>One-third shekel donation in Nechemyah</b> – Ramban asserts that this was an additional contribution above the half shekel as there were extra expenses when the nation returned from exile.<fn>Compare with the similar explanation of R. Saadia above.</fn> The other commentators might suggest that it was simply an innovation of the people. </point> |
− | <point><b>The custom of giving half-shekels</b> – </point> | + | <point><b>The custom of giving half-shekels</b> – According to Ramban this is Biblically mandated, while according to the Gr"a it is הלכה למשה מסיני.</point> |
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<point><b></b> – </point> | <point><b></b> – </point> | ||
<point><b>Crux of the position</b> – </point> | <point><b>Crux of the position</b> – </point> | ||
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</category> | </category> | ||
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</approaches> | </approaches> |
Version as of 16:36, 13 February 2014
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 view also divides, with Rashbam 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 requiring a combination of both a census and a capital campaign to create an obligation to donate, and Ramban concluding that each factor alone warrants a collection.
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 for 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 a transient 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.
- Rashbam appears to view the census as a by product of the collection; once Moshe was gathering the people to collect donations, he also counted them.16
- Hoil Moshe, who posits that the verses are achronological and occurred after the sin of the Golden Calf, proposes that Moshe desired to count the remaining members of the nation. Hashem saw this as an opportunity to collect money which could serve as an atonement for their sin and be used to build the Tabernacle.17
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 various generations. Any time that there is both a need to count and a need to build a Temple/tabernacle, 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 Temple.
- 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 generations25 whereas the command to give half shekels for the Tabernacle was a one time command for the generation of the desert.26