Rabbi Minkowicz Weekly Torah Lesson Parsha Mishpatim - Shekalim 5781

welcome to this week's torah lesson this week's torah portion is pastors from spotim and also this special torah portion of paschal skalim so the question of the week is why do we give charity so in this week's torah portion this special torah that we take out in honor of pasha skalim we read about the special gift that the jewish people gave in the times of the temple and they would give shkulim special coins to the temple the skull were used these special coins were used for two purposes one it was a gift that everyone participated in the sockets the foundation of the tabernacle and also it was used for sacrifice they were brought through abroad throughout the year in the temple when would they collect the skull in they collected the skull and the rescue disorder and because they collected the skull of mary scottie disorder so we read the torah portion this week which happens to be also rescued this other now the rebel explains that the scholar were used for two things one is for the sockets the sockets is what held up the whole temple and it was also given for the sacrifices so driver says what's interesting is when does somebody bring a sacrifice someone brings a sacrifice they did something wrong they're looking for atonement so the skalim fills that void so the represent the same ideas when charity one of the reasons you give charity is when someone is lacking so you give them to help them they have a need they have a need they have a lack they have a void you're filling that need but the other component of skull was used for the sockets of the temple by giving the skull and you created the foundation of the found of the temple which allowed the shrine of the divine presence to rest in the world and the rabbit says that's another reason why we give charity the other reason why we get charity is so that hashem could dwell in the world because when we do charity and we do good deeds hashem dwells in the world hashem dwells in our life hashem becomes part of life in a real way and rebecca says we find a similar argument between the two classic commentators the rambam and the ramban the rambam says the main purpose of the building of the temple was for sacrifices which again resembles people have a need people have annoyed a void so hashem made an opportunity for people to fill that void by bringing sacrifices the ramban says that's not the main reason for the temple the main reason for the temples are the shrine is to dwell into the world so you see there's a clear difference between the two approaches of the purpose of the temple whether it's to fill someone's void just like the component of charity to help somebody or it's that hashem should dwell in this world like the component of charity to hashem should be more found in the world so the answer to the question what's the reason why we get charities two reasons one is someone has a need so there's a void and you're trying to help the person but secondly and possibly more importantly at least according to the opinion of ramban is so that has trump should be felt in the world that should be more revealed in the world and every time we do charity we think we're really helping someone which is true but more importantly we're allowing hashem to be revealed in the world in our lives and our families lives and our communities and when hashem is revealed we all have the greatest blessings of the revelation of hashem this week's torah lesson is dedicated to the memory of barak banari labe yosef and may their souls be elevated by the torah was studying in their memory thanks so much for joining us for our weekly torah lesson for more information please see our website chabadswf.org have a great and blessed week shavuah tov