PARSHAS MISHPATIM - SHEKALIM

Rabbi Avraham Brandwein of Yerushalayim 5764
With the help of Heaven!

This Shabbos, (the Torah reading) is Parshas Mishpatim. However, (in addition, at the end of the Torah reading, we also read Parshas Shekalim, (which recounts) that each person would give a half shekel coin, at the time that the Holy Temple was in existence, on the first of (the Hebrew month of) Adar. This was in order to preempt the Shekalim, which Haman wanted to give Achashverosh, in order to kill the Jews. The Shekalim were for the needs of the sacrifices.

It is possible to connect these two Parshas. According to the secret (of Kabbalah), it is known that the Sefirah of Malchus carries within her the Tzimtzum (restriction) on the Light. Thereby, from Malchus and below, the light would not spread. This was in order that (the Light) not emanate to the Chitzonim (External levels, the Kelipos), which are those who are unfit to receive the Divine Light. Because of this, the Sefirah of Malchus ascended to the Sefirah of Binah, and all of the Sefiros, which were beneath Binah, fell to a level lower, beneath them. Seemingly, a greater mess has been made. Before, only Malchus was Tzimtzumed, and now even the Sefiros beneath Binah are Tzimtzumed.

However, the truth is, that through this action, on the contrary, a combination (a partnership) was made between the upper and the lower (levels), so that half of the upper level descended to the lower level. In this form, the upper and the lower (levels) become partners, and neither can ascend without the help of the other. From this spiritual root flows the principle that all of Israel is responsible for each other. No one can be complete, without the help of the other, since no person can be complete without the partnership and help of another person.

This is the issue of the giving of the half shekel, since “Shekel” is Gematria “Nefesh” (430). Since each person is only a half, therefore, by giving the half to Holiness, there (in Holiness), all is united, since the Holy Temple is the place of the unity of the souls.

Likewise, Parshas Mishpatim, its contents are primarily (laws, which relate to issues) between man and his fellow man. This teaches us the (proper) path, that physical possessions are not the most important, and that “this world” will pass away, (since) it is not eternal. Before receiving the Torah, it says, “And you will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation, for the land belongs to Me.” It is understood from this, that each person has a (unique) part and role, but in the end, all combines together to refine the entire world, (where) automatically the fights (and disputes) of the physical realm will be canceled out.

(This is shown by the combination of the two Parshas.) (Parshas) Mishpatim (relates to) the Tikkun (repair and refinement) between man and his fellow man, with regard to the physical realm. (Parshas) Shekalim (relates to the) Tikkun between man and Hashem.

Every person needs the other. Only then, they can be united, in the end of the Tikkun, into one soul.