Difference between revisions of "Half Shekels – For Census or Tabernacle/2"
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<point><b>Why now?</b> According to Rashi, a census was required at this juncture since many people had just died as a punishment for the sin of the Golden Calf. This is consistent with Rashi's position that all of Shemot 25-31 is not recorded in chronological order and the Mishkan instructions were transmitted to Moshe only in the aftermath of the Golden Calf.<fn>See Chronology of Shemot 19-34.</fn> Rashi thus maintains that the primary motivation for the donation of the initial half-shekels was the census,<fn>Rashi further states that the total from this census is recorded in Shemot 38:26, and it matches the total population for the census in Bemidbar 1. Since Rashi maintains that these were two different censuses, he attempts (in 30:16) to explain the coincidence of the identical totals as well as the need for both. For elaboration and analysis, see <a href="Censuses in the Wilderness" data-aht="page">Censuses in the Wilderness</a>.</fn> and not the collection for the building of the Mishkan (which was taking place simultaneously).</point> | <point><b>Why now?</b> According to Rashi, a census was required at this juncture since many people had just died as a punishment for the sin of the Golden Calf. This is consistent with Rashi's position that all of Shemot 25-31 is not recorded in chronological order and the Mishkan instructions were transmitted to Moshe only in the aftermath of the Golden Calf.<fn>See Chronology of Shemot 19-34.</fn> Rashi thus maintains that the primary motivation for the donation of the initial half-shekels was the census,<fn>Rashi further states that the total from this census is recorded in Shemot 38:26, and it matches the total population for the census in Bemidbar 1. Since Rashi maintains that these were two different censuses, he attempts (in 30:16) to explain the coincidence of the identical totals as well as the need for both. For elaboration and analysis, see <a href="Censuses in the Wilderness" data-aht="page">Censuses in the Wilderness</a>.</fn> and not the collection for the building of the Mishkan (which was taking place simultaneously).</point> | ||
<point><b>"וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בָהֶם נֶגֶף בִּפְקֹד אֹתָם"</b> – Rashi explains that a simple headcount without using shekalim might bring on an "עין הרע" ("evil eye"),<fn>Cf. Bavli Bava Mezia 42a cited by R"Y Bekhor Shor and others.</fn> and this could result in a plague. Rashi views the "evil eye" as a real concern, and not just a figment of the people's imagination.<fn>Cf. Shadal above.</fn></point> | <point><b>"וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בָהֶם נֶגֶף בִּפְקֹד אֹתָם"</b> – Rashi explains that a simple headcount without using shekalim might bring on an "עין הרע" ("evil eye"),<fn>Cf. Bavli Bava Mezia 42a cited by R"Y Bekhor Shor and others.</fn> and this could result in a plague. Rashi views the "evil eye" as a real concern, and not just a figment of the people's imagination.<fn>Cf. Shadal above.</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. Cf. Chizkuni who suggests, instead, that the princes who were in charge of the counting were the ones to | + | <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. Cf. <multilink><a href="ChizkuniBemidbar7-2" data-aht="source">Chizkuni</a><a href="ChizkuniBemidbar7-2" data-aht="source">Bemidbar 7:2</a><a href="R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach (Chizkuni)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Chizkiyah b. Manoach</a></multilink> who suggests, instead, that the princes who were in charge of the counting were the ones to contribute wagons, vessels and offerings at the dedication of the altar in Bemidbar 7 specifically because they needed to atone for the counting. He points to the contributions given by the officers who counted the soldiers after the war with Midyan (see next point) as a parallel case.</fn></point> |
<point><b>Post-census donation in Bemidbar 31</b> – Rashbam, citing his father, asserts that the donations are related to the command of Ki Tisa.  Before counting the people, the officers had pledged to contribute so as not to incur a plague. As in Parashat Ki Tisa, the contributions were given to the service of the Mishkan.</point> | <point><b>Post-census donation in Bemidbar 31</b> – Rashbam, citing his father, asserts that the donations are related to the command of Ki Tisa.  Before counting the people, the officers had pledged to contribute so as not to incur a plague. As in Parashat Ki Tisa, the contributions were given to the service of the Mishkan.</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="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>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> |
Latest revision as of 23:17, 13 July 2020
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