Parashat: Ki Tisa

Parashat: Ki Tisa
Torah Reading: Exodus 30:11–34:35

“…the rich shall not pay more, and the poor shall not pay less than half a shekel when giving God’s offering as reparation for your persons…”

— Exodus 30:15

A few parshiyot ago, in Terumah, we were told that the people should bring God gifts — anyone whose heart so moved them to do so. Everyone was included in the building of the sanctuary, and gifts from our generosity of spirit were invited. In this case, however, men, twenty years or older, are named and counted (hello census foreshadowing for Numbers!) and are expected to give half a shekel as reparation/expiation for one’s soul. It’s a humbling experience for humanity that:

Each one of us is expected to make some real mistakes in our lives.
Each one of us is expected to literally pay for the mistakes ahead of time.
If we don’t pay for our anticipated mistakes, each one of us is liable for the potential of bringing a plague upon our people.

In all reality, rich or poor, we deal with problems that challenge our judgment — it’s why we have rules to follow in the first place. We are not particularly adept at making the right decisions most of the time. But here, we have a chance to start with the end in mind. By paying up front (equally and responsibly), we are owning that we are part of a community pool — we all have a hand in ensuring that we are trying our best to beat our baser instincts. Utilizing our societal strengths to balance our singular struggles makes us a stronger community overall, and is a bet I’m willing to wager on (even a half-shekel).

— Rabbi Amanda K. Weiss