Parshas Ki Sisa 5777

Parshas Ki Sisa 5777:

Hey again everyone!  Hope you're having a good day, Hashem willing.  With the Help of Hashem, I would like to share with you some beautiful “nuggets” on the parsha:

1) So Hashem says about the Half-Shekel, ‘This they shall give’. The Midrash Tanchuma (quoted by Rashi HaKadosh) explains: ‘He (Hashem) showed him a sort of coin of fire, weighing half a shekel. He said to him: “Like this they shall give”.’ Teaches us the Noam Elimelech (Rebbe Elimelech of Lizhensk zt”l); Hashem showed Moshe Rabbeinu that money is like fire: It can be used for so much good -- but it can also be very destructive, Chas V’Shalom.  (Quoted in The Stone Edition Chumash).

2) On the same Midrash, the Kotzker Rebbe (Rebbe Menachem Mendel of Kotzk zt”l) explains that it teaches us that if one gives money as atonement, it should be given with fire and enthusiasm. (Quoted in The Stone Edition Chumash). 

Similarly, the Chiddushei HaRim (the first Gerrer Rebbe -- Rebbe Yitzchok Meir Alter zt”l) comments that we need to give charity with fire and enthusiasm.  (Told over by HaRav Elyakim Rosenblatt shlita on TorahAnytime.com).

3) So, Hashem says that each man should give an atonement for his Soul: Rebbe Moshe Bogomilsky shlita notes that the word ‘ונתנוּ’ is spelled the same both backwards and forwards. This teaches us, he explains, that a person should not worry when they give -- for they will surely get paid back. (From VeDibarta Bam). 

4) Why was it specifically a half-shekel -- not a full one? Says the Alshich HaKadosh (HaRav Moshe Alsheich zt”l) in the name of HaRav Shlomo Alkabetz zt”l -- and many others say this as well; it is to teach us that no Jew is whole by themselves. We can only become whole through joining with our fellow-Jews.

5) Now we have an insight into Shabbos -- a very famous one: So, as we know, the Shabbos is called a sign.

And the Chofetz Chaim (HaRav Yisroel Meir HaKohen Kagan zt”l) gives a mashal/parable: When a person opens up a store, the first thing they do is put up a sign (maybe some people...). The sign informs everyone that the store is open, indicating that the storekeeper is well. Even if the store is sometimes closed, as long as the sign is up, it lets people know that the storekeeper is still alive and in business.

Explains Reb Yisroel Meir zt”l; Shabbos is our Sign. As long as Shabbos is observed, it is clear that we are alive, and thriving -- serving Hashem. Even if sometimes we, Chas V’Shalom, might sin some, our Sign is still there showing that we are still alive. However, if Chas V’Shalom, our Sign is no longer up -- not observed -- we are “out of business”, Rachmana Litzlan.......

May HaKadosh Baruch Hu send every single person a

wonderful Shabbos full of sanctity!