Parshas Vayakhail – Shkalim: Our Need For Others (5760)
By Mordechai Dolinsky
The Divine Providence has put Parshas Vayakail and Parshas Shkalim together and it certainly deserves some explanation. As for the Parsha of Shkalim there are many inspirational thoughts and insights. There is, however, one trend that is very obvious and outstanding.
The shkalim were used as a means of counting Klal Yisroel. Counting is gathering one lump sum and is obviously a unifying agent. The amount that had to be given was standard and constant for the rich and poor, again an obvious lesson in achdus, unity. The money was used to buy ‘korbanai tzibbur, public sacrifices; again we see a clear statement of the significance of ‘achdus’. The actual giving of the shkalim was done in the month of Adar, which through ‘Hashgacha Pratis” turned out to be at the time of Purim, making shkalim, too, related to Purim. Purim itself I very much related to ‘achdus’, the miracle came about through the ‘zchus’ of Klal Yisroel gathering together day and night in unified prayer. This is why the Megila is read night and day. The ‘achdus’ also is why Chazal instituted the Mitzva of Mishloach Manos. Again we have another connection of shkalim to ‘achdus’. Now the connection between Parshas Vayakhail and Parshas Shkalim becomes very obvious–as the name itself “Vayakhail” calls out ‘achdus’; “Vayakail Moshe es kol Adas Bnai Yisroel”.
What I would like to focus on is to try to shed some light on the meaning and significance of the fact that the performance of the Mitzvah was done with a ‘chatzi shekel’—a half. There has been a lot said and written on this point and I would like to present some of my own thoughts. The obvious significance of the denomination of a coin that is one half is that there is something missing, something lacking. It has so much meaning here, this payment which represents “me”—“here I am”—“count me”—is in the format of being incomplete. The Mitzvah of shkalim has two thoughts—‘achdus’ and the fact that we are lacking. Putting them together the message that emerges is that we are incomplete humans and must have ‘achdus’, unity, and be connected with one another. The idea of being one half and lacking is very important and carries with it one of the most basic concepts.
The first point that must be considered is that we were not created as self-contained, independent beings. Just to take the eating process as an example, before the consumption of the food you can’t think and after the potato you can. The thought and understanding came about from what amounts to a converted clump of black earth—the thought was in the “potato”. An interesting thought about thought. Just as with the food, our dependence is extended to other areas. We are created with a dependence on other humans for our true understanding, insight, and perspective. I don’t think this axiom can be better expressed, clearly, eloquently and shockingly than in the words of the Mesilas Yesharim (Chap. 23). I often wonder if these words of the Mesilas Yesharim are properly understood and the impact of his powerful message is appreciated. To quote: (THE FIVE CONSTANTS) A person’s highest priority and more than anything else in the world he should give proper thought and attention CONSTANTLY to be aware of the weakness and fragility of the human mental capabilities, that most of his conclusions are errors and absurdities. For CONSTANTLY one is more vulnerable to be wrong and mistaken than comprehending things properly, and seeing things in their right light. Therefore one should be CONSTANTLY concerned and worried about this grave danger, and yearn CONSTANTLY to be enlightened by everyone and CONSTANTLY be open for advice–to prevent him from falling into catastrophic consequences by his mistakes. Later on in the chapter the Mesilas Yesharim says:”A person’s highest priority and most beneficial ambition must be to yearn and search for genuine friends and acquaintances that will enlighten him and open up his eyes to the things that he is blind to. And with their true love for him will guide him and consequently will save him from falling. For what a person is blind to and not capable of seeing objectively, his fallacies, they, on the other hand will have the true insight, understand, and give him beneficial warning signals. This can be a tremendous protective benefit.”
This is our lesson of the half shekel—that we are one half, incomplete, and have the need for others. There is a leaning we all have to be independent and to feel that we are complete and self-contained. One can safely say that the Parsha of the shekel has given us a little “SHUKEL”. I hope that this lesson will be taken seriously and not with a “CHUCKLE”.