Purim Explanation-Half Shekel

It is interesting to note the Torah’s obligation to give half a shekel as opposed to a whole one. Usually we would expect the Torah to obligate us to give a whole of something, as in matters of holiness we expect wholeness. In fact  the sacrifices that were purchased in Temple times from this communal fund had to be whole and unblemished which strengthens the question even more!

The answer is very profound; A Jew is only truly spiritually whole when they realise that they are in fact half of a whole!
Hashem and the Jew are like two halves of a whole. Each yearns to connect to the other.

On Purim we celebrate not only the physical redemption of the Jewish people but even deeper than that we celebrate the unique relationship we have with Hashem through our Torah and Mitzvot.
Purim is filled with very physical Mitzvot and on the surface does not seem that holy in comparison with other festivals, The Kabbalists turn Purim on its head by revealing to us that Yom Kippur is  “Yom Ke-Purim” – a day like Purim!. In other words from the mystical perspective Purim is even holier than Yom Kippur so that Yom Kippur is only like – but does not reach the level of – Purim!

Are our great sages to be taken seriously! The answer is unequivocally yes!! It is true that on Yom Kippur we become like angels transcending the physical through fasting and other afflictions. We Pray all day and certainly most Jews feel a great spiritual uplift by the end of Yom Kippur.
Yet it is Purim that achieves even more through the very physical Mitzvot of feasting and so forth. This is because whilst on Yom Kippur we can reach transcendent angelic levels of holiness, that is still through a negation of God’s creation. On Purim we through Joy and celebration in the physical we transform the very darkness of our world into light, bringing Godliness into the world which is the fulfilment of the very purpose of creation.

Therefore it is fitting and appropriate that on the fast of Esther as we approach Purim we give the half shekel to Tzedakah symbolising that we are fully prepared and committed to our dedicate and give ourselves to our other half – Hashem, and make for Him a Home in this world.
After all the month of ADAR = Aleph Dar meaning the One who dwells!!
Happy Purim!

On Purim we celebrate the deliverance of the Jewish people from Haman’s planned genocide of the entire Jewish nation “to slaughter all Jews, young and old, women and children, all in one day” (Megillah). Haman’s masterplan almost succeeded but for the guiding hand of Divine Providence that completely turned tragedy and despair into hope, joy and jubilation.

This year as we celebrate Purim giving thanks to Hashem for saving the Jewish nation, thousands of our brothers and sisters still remain in Ukraine in the crossfire and in some cases are being deliberately targeted by the Russian military. Thousands who have left Ukraine face uncertain futures as refugees and will have to rebuild their lives once again.

At such a time of crises for our brethren we must continue to increase in our Mitzvot and good deeds as well as to intensify our Teffilah and spiritual growth. The Jewish people are ultimately One organism and so every Mitzva we perform effects not only our individual soul but the entire collective Jewish soul, bringing merit and life to our brethren.

But more than anything it is so urgent that we give as much Tzedakah as we can at this time to help Jews in the Ukraine as well as the refugees.

I am sharing this website which I know with authority is bone fide and all the money received goes strength to those in need, https://jewsofukraine.com/

On Purim we have 4 basic Mitvzot 1) twice reading Megillah 2) Purim feast 3) Food portions sent to Friends  and 4) Gifts to the poor

We are taught that with a limited budget it is better to increase gifts to the poor and fulfil Mishloach Manot minimally. This is even truer this year when millions of pounds will be required to help alleviate the suffering.

The prophet Isaiah encapsulated the power of Tzedakah in the verse “Zion will be redeemed through mishpat/judgement and those who return to it through tzedaka.” (Isaiah 1:27)

Please the Jews of Ukraine will be able to experience the “great turnaround” that occurred in the days of Purim when the Jews decalred (and we repeat each week at the Havdallah ritual):
“To the Jews there was Light, Joy, Ecstasy/Inspiration and Glory”!
Amen.
Shabbat Shalom