Parshas Terumah 5785
- Torah Tavlin
- Mar 1
- 2 min read
Chodesh Adar and the Four Parshiyos
Parshas Shekalim. This Shabbos is the second day of Rosh Chodesh Adar, when we read Parshas Shekalim. It discusses the Machatzis Hashekel which every single Jew was required to donate to the Mishkan no matter who they were and how much money they had or didn’t have. The Sages teach us that the greatest way to be happy is by giving Tzedakah and doing for others. The world feels the way to be happy is by indulging yourself in all of your desires, but we know that this is the furthest thing from the truth. In fact, the Torah teaches us that the way to find fulfillment and joy is by thinking about others and giving to them.
Learning is Like Fulfilling. The week of Parshas Shekalim, it is proper to focus on the mitzvah of Talmud Torah. The Mishna Berurah (1) quotes from earlier Poskim that when we read Parshas Shekalim on Shabbos, it is as if have we fulfilled the mitzvah of donating to the Bais HaMikdash. He paraphrases the posuk (2): "ונשלמה פרים שפתינו" - “Our lips shall substitute for bulls.” This is one of the sources in Chazal that with one’s lips (e.g. learning the sugyos) one is considered as if he sacrificed korbonos, or in the case of Shekalim, as if he donated to the purchasing of korbonos. This concept is also stated in the Gemara (3): "כל העוסק בתורת חטאת כאילו הקריב חטאת" - “Whoever learns the laws of a Chatos (sin offering) is as if he actually brought a Chatos.” The Maharsha (4) explains that this is true of all korbonos. This concept is also the basis for reciting “Korbonos” daily, which somewhat makes up for the sacrifices and spices (ketores) that we cannot offer nowadays.
Krias HaTorah. Ladies are exempt from hearing the kriah of Parshas Shekalim, as they were exempt from giving Machatzis Hashekel to the Mishkan The same halacha applies to Parshas Parah and Hachodesh. There is a difference of opinion among the Poskim if ladies are obligated to hear the Kriah of Parshas Zachor before Purim (5). We rule that ladies should try to come to shul and hear it. If they cannot make it then, they can come to shul on Purim morning before Megillah and hear the Purim Kriah which the Magen Avraham holds can fulfill their chiyuv.
(1) תרפה:ב (2) הושע יד:ג (3) מנחות קי. (4) שם (5) עיין כל השיטות הובא בס' אשי ישראל מט:ח