Building Our Future: Individual & Communal Contribution in Parashat Shekalim and Vayakhel

By Rebbetzin Chavi GolovenshitzD

edicated to the safety of our brothers and sisters in Ukraine and to the memory of Rav Shlomo ben Reb Yitzchak.

In a world of increasing turmoil and uncertainty, we often wonder: What can we do? What is our role in a time when so much feels beyond our control?

Standing in Yerushalayim, I feel an overwhelming sense of safety and closeness to Hashem. And yet, my heart is with our fellow Jews in Ukraine and all those facing danger. During our tefillot—especially when saying Sim Shalom or lighting Shabbat candles—we must have them in mind. Because as Chazal teach us, Kol Yisrael Areivim Zeh La’zeh—we are all responsible for one another.

This message of unity and shared responsibility is deeply embedded in both Parashat Shekalim and Parashat Vayakhel, where we learn that each individual’s heartfelt contribution builds the foundation of our collective future.

Parashat Shekalim: A Half-Shekel, A Whole Heart

As we usher in the month of Adar, we recall the custom in the Beit Hamikdash to collect the Machatzit HaShekel—a half-shekel donation used to fund communal korbanot. Remarkably, Hashem showed Moshe a half-shekel of fire from beneath the Kisei HaKavod, teaching that even the smallest donation, when given with a burning heart of emunah and love, is priceless.

The half-shekel also reminds us: no one is whole on their own. We are each a half, and only through unity can we become complete. This is why we preempt Haman’s shekalim—his 10,000 shekalim to destroy Am Yisrael—with our own mitzvah of giving. In times of threat, our spiritual response is tzedakah, tefillah, and achdut.

Vayakhel: From Sin to Sanctuary

In Parashat Vayakhel, Moshe gathers all of Bnei Yisrael—Vayakhel Moshe. This act of assembly is itself a kapara for the division caused by the Sin of the Golden Calf. Hashem offers the people a path to teshuvah: build the Mishkan, a sanctuary of unity, beauty, and precise obedience to Divine command.

The three levels of giving reflect this repair:

• Machatzit HaShekel for the adanim (foundations) – a kapara for sins of the body.

• Machatzit HaShekel for korbanot – a kapara for the neshamah.

• Nedavah (freewill offerings) – a kapara for misdirected passion, now channeled toward holiness.

Each act of building becomes a personal and national act of healing.

Why So Many Details? Love in Every Thread

The Ramban asks: Why does the Torah repeat every detail of the Mishkan so many times? Unlike other mitzvot, where the Torah is brief, here we hear the instructions, the gathering of materials, the actual building, and the final assembly—all repeated.

The answer? To highlight Am Yisrael’s overwhelming love and devotion. Despite their background as slaves, they responded not with hesitation but with eagerness: “We will build! We can learn! We want to give!” Their enthusiasm summoned hidden talents and brought miracles—like the boy Betzalel, who understood not just the craft, but its spiritual essence.

Repairing the Past: Speed, Unity, and Shabbat Peace

The Mishkan wasn’t just a physical sanctuary; it was a spiritual response to the Golden Calf. The repair came through:

• Unity – Vayakhel, gathering together in achdut.

• Speed in Mitzvah – They rushed to give, just as they had rushed to sin.

• Shabbat Observance – The Torah warns: “Lo Teva’aru Esh…”—don’t light a fire on Shabbat. Esh symbolizes machloket; Shabbat must be a time of peace.

We learn: even holy ambition must be channeled within the boundaries of halachah, with patience and peace.

The Women’s Unique Role: Chochmat Lev and Emunah

The Torah praises the women of Am Yisrael, saying “Kol Isha Chochmat Lev”—each woman of wise heart contributed to the Mishkan. They wove, spun, and donated—not just with their hands, but with their emunah-filled hearts.

When it came to working with goat hair, they didn’t cut corners. Out of concern for purity, they developed a method to weave the hair directly from live goats. This level of care and dedication reflects the profound strength and insight of women in building spiritual legacies.

I once heard a powerful story from Dr. Yehudit Grunfeld, who worked under Sarah Schenirer in Krakow. After the war, Dr. Grunfeld’s husband searched for Jewish children hidden in monasteries. He would gather the children and call out, “Shema Yisrael!” And from within the crowd, children would cry out, “Hashem Echad!”—the emunah their mothers and teachers had woven into their hearts emerging from the depths.

This is the true building of a Mishkan—planting emunah so deeply that it lasts even through the darkness of galut.

The Mirrors and the Middle Bar: Elevating the Material

Moshe Rabbeinu initially rejected the copper mirrors brought by the women. But Hashem declared, “These are more precious to Me than all the gold and silver.” Why? Because in Mitzrayim, when the men had given up hope, the women used those very mirrors to uplift and encourage. Their emunah gave birth to the next generation.

These mirrors became the Kiyor, from which the Kohanim began each day’s Avodah. A reminder that we can take even the most physical items and elevate them with pure intention.

The Beriach HaTichon, the middle bar holding the planks of the Mishkan, was made from a miraculous piece of wood passed down from Avraham Avinu. Though it was rigid, it bent miraculously to fit the planks. The message? Sometimes we must stand tall like Avraham—but at times, we must bend before Hashem’s will.

Conclusion: Simcha Through Giving

As we approach Rosh Chodesh Adar, we are reminded that "Mishenichnas Adar Marbim B’Simcha." True simcha doesn’t come from receiving—but from giving, from being part of something bigger than ourselves.

Let us be inspired by the generation that built the Mishkan with love, unity, and generosity. Let us give—of our time, our resources, our hearts. Whether through tzedakah, kind words, or simply helping a neighbor, each small act adds a brick to our collective sanctuary.

May we merit to see the rebuilding of the Beit Hamikdash soon in our days, with all of Am Yisrael united in heart, purpose, and song.