Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Ki Thisa כי תשא – A Modest Display

Parshas Ki Thisa opens with a mitzvah as to how to perform a census of the nation of Israel. A simple head count is forbidden, rather a half a shekel is to be taken from each person and the money is to be used for religious purposes. A count of the money will easily disclose the number of people. The word used for the donation is כפר נפשו literally atonement for his life. The Chumash adds this procedure is to be followed so there will not be a plague among them. Rashi comments that a census can be taken whenever it is desired. He explains that this procedure is necessary because the evil eye rules on Israel specifically when they are being counted and brings as an example the census taken by King David and the resulting plague (see 2 Shmuel 24).

In the story of the plague during the reign of King David the Tanach says that Hashem was simply angry at Israel. Rashi comments that we do not know why. In any case a national census is used there as an incitement for punishment. The Kli Yakar also develops the idea that the evil inclination instigates at the time of a census. He explains that when the population total is given there is room for the administering angels of the nations to protest saying, what greatness and esteem is present in Israel so that they should have such a [respectable] number, these serve idols and these serve idols. As a result to rescue them from this evil eye the count is made by means of charitable contributions. There is another reason why precisely a donation of half a shekel is required of all being counted. If the rich were permitted to give more, there would be room for them to be conceited in regards to the poor. As a result they would be exhibiting a bad characteristic at a time of judgment.

The Kli Yakar continues that an aspect of the count is to imbue the nation as a whole and each and every individual with the Shechina (presence of Hashem) and the providence of heaven. In connection with this an accounting is made of each person’s merits and failings. However in some cases the merits will not outweigh the failings. Because the census is a time of taking stock it is also an apt time for retributions. For this reason retributions are also exacted at this time for the sin of the golden calf.

In regards to the golden calf the Jerusalem Talmud (Shekelim 6a) brings two reasons why the Chumash specifies specifically half a shekel. One reason is because the nation sinned when they did not wait a half a day for Moshe to return from Mount Sinai. The other reason is that the people violated the Ten Commandments and a half a shekel weighs ten geras. The Mechilta gleefully in wonder gushes, “Come and see the mercy of He Who spoke and there was a world, concerning flesh and blood, that a man can redeem himself with money”. In essence the sin of the golden calf was a sin of disloyalty to the faith. The half shekel donation is for sacrifices in the Temple which are specifically expressions of devotion to religion. Therefore this act of charity is an act of repentance. 

The basic message seems to be that there are times when people either as individuals or as a nation take stock of themselves. These tend to be happy times because virtues and accomplishments are showcased. Unfortunately these virtues and accomplishments may arouse jealousy in others. In addition there will also be shortcomings both present and ancient. As a result such accountings should be carried out modestly and using a method that is noticeably benevolent.




Acknowledgements to websites: תורת אמת, וויקיטקסט, http://dictionary.reference.com/, http://hebrewbooks.org/, 

לע"נ, האמה ,מלכה בת חיים ז"ל נלב"ע ט"ז ניסן תשנ"ח        



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