This they shall give... half a shekel (Exodus 30:13)
The mitzvah of the half-shekel is that each should contribute a coin that [is valued at] half of the dominant coin of that time. If the prevailing coin is takal, they should give a half-takal; if it is a selah, they should give a half-selah; if it is a darcon, they should give a half-darcon.
Why not a complete coin? To teach us that no man is a complete entity unto himself. Only by joining with another can a person become a “whole thing”.
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Author: Compilation of Jewish sages
Keywords: Ki Tisa, Half shekel, Contribution, Contribution to building the tabernacle, Tabernacle, Building the tabernacle, Constructing the tabernacle
Bible reference(s): Exodus 30:11, Exodus 30:13, Exodus 30:15, Exo 30:19, Exo 30:31, Exo 30:35, Exo 31:2, Exo 31:6, Exo 31:16-18, Exo 32:1-7, Exo 32:11, Exo 32:13-14, Exo 32:19, Exo 32:31-32, Exo 32:34, Exo 34:1, Exo 34:6, Exo 34:33-35
Source: Compilation.
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