There is a fascinating Midrash that allows us to listen in on a conversation between Moses and G-d.
G-d tells Moses that he should take a headcount of the Jews. He cannot do this directly, since we don’t count people, but by having each person donate a half-shekel, he can count the half-shekels; additionally, the half-shekels will be atonement for their souls. When Moses hears this he turns to G-d and asks, “How will a half-shekel act as an atonement?” G-d responds by showing Moses a fiery coin and says, “Like this, they should give.”
Why was Moses so perturbed? We all know that giving charity is good for the soul, so why doesn’t this make sense to Moses? In addition, since when do all of Judaism’s Mitzvot have to be logical? Can’t G-d just make things happen?
Let’s take a moment and try to think like Moses. A coin is made from the lowest and most physical element of this world. Coins are made out of material that is found deep down beneath the earth. Moses wondered, ”How is it that such a lowly coin can have such a great spiritual impact on our souls?”
G-d shows him a coin of fire. When there is a fire in the heart of the donor, even a lowly coin can be transformed into a holy coin. The coin itself can transform the giver into a holy, fiery human being. All we need to do is to give it with good intention.
This was difficult for Moses to understand—before G-d explained it to him. Yes, he knew that when we do something holy with an ordinary item we can elevate it to a higher place, but for it to be an atonement for our souls—that is a little bit of a stretch. And that is why G-d showed him a fiery coin. Within every single thing in this world, even something as small and insignificant as a coin, one can find the “fire” inside. And when we find that “fire,” we are transformed.
The trick for us is to not be afraid to light that spark. We can access it all the time by doing acts of loving kindness. One Mitzvah at a time.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Shaya Deitsch
PS … These Shekalim eventually went toward the upkeep of the Temple and were collected once a year in the month of Adar. Since the Temple was destroyed – more than 2,000 years ago – a custom was instituted to donate a half-shekel on the eve of Purim.