Shkalim |
This week we read the Parsha of Shkalim, the first of the four special Haftarot that are read between Rosh Chodesh Adar and Pesach.
The Haftorah of Shkalim, found in Melachim Bet, Kings II, discusses the reign of the youngest King of Yehuda, Yoash who was only 7 years old at the time that he ascended the throne. The Haftorah focuses on Yoash's love for the Beit HaMikdash (Temple).
Yoash noticed that the Beit HaMikdash had not been kept up to its original beauty and splendor so he made the repairs the top priority. In Kings II 12:5-6 we read about how Joash told the Kohanim, “All the money for holy purposes that is brought to the Temple of Hashem -whether the money of ‘those who pass through' or any man's money for his personal valuation or any money that a man's heart may move him to bring to the house of God. Let the Kohanim take it, each man from his acquaintance, and let them repair the deterioration of the House, wherever deterioration will be found.”
The term “those who pass through” is also seen in the Maftir reading,Shemot 30:13-14, where we learn of how the census of Bnei Yisrael is completed: "This shall they give- everyone who passes through the census, from twenty years of age and up, shall give the portion to God. Everyone who passes through the census, from twenty years of age and up, shall give the portion to Hashem."
Radak questions if Yoash is now taking the Half Shekel that is supposed to be used for the purchase of communal Korbanot and is using it for the repair and maintenance of the Beit HaMikdash, how are the Korbanot now being funded?
Abarbanel comments that the shortfall in funding was made up by people making additional donations of money and animals.
As Purim approaches Torat Reva Yerushalayim is busy preparing Mishloach Manot/Matanot L’Evyonim packages for the neglected elderly of Jerusalem. Last year the response to our appeal for this project was tremendous and we delivered close to 80 packages.
The packages that Torat Reva Yerushalayim delivered last year to Jerusalem's elderly residents were the ONLY gift packages that these individuals received!
We ask all those who have made contributions for this or any other prior project to consider helping to fill the gap and celebrate in this Mitzvah, just as Abarbanel suggests my making an additional donation.
Information can be found below with packages at $18 a piece, or $180 for a whole floor of a nursing home.
Shabbat Shalom and Chodesh Tov from Yerushalayim! Sharona Margolin Halickman ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Send Mishloach Manot/ Matanot L'Evyonim (Gifts for Purim and Gifts for the Poor) to Jerusalem ’s Impoverished Elderly!
Please click on the following link to donate on line |