This week, we read the special Torah portion of Shekalim, commemorating the annual half-Shekel donation that every person was obligated to give to support the ongoing needs of the Holy Temple. This special reading, which precedes the New Month of Adar (II), is in addition to the regular Torah reading of Pikudei. Pikudei, the last reading in the Book of Exodus, describes the vessels and objects created by Betzalel and his assistants — using these half-Shekels of silver, plus the gold and other donations of the “Nedivei Lev,” those whose hearts moved them. Everyone participated at a basic level, while those able to do so, gave more.
As you have already seen, we are in the middle of an active $100,000 raffle campaign. The goal of this campaign is to build our new website, the new platform that will enable Torah.org to be a much more effective engine for Jewish outreach and education. The participation of every subscriber tells those whose hearts may be moved to do more, that our program is valued by its participants.
Please participate in the raffle today, or make a donation — even $1 makes a big difference. Thank you in advance for your help!
Good Shabbos!
Rabbi Yaakov Menken
Director, Project Genesis – Torah.org
