Translated from Mekor Chaim Kitzur Shulchan Aruch:
1. On the first of Adar we announce to Am Yisrael the
gathering of the Half Shekel (Mahatzit HaShekel). Why on the first of Adar
exactly? Because it was known to Hashem that Haman would come one day to bribe
Achashverosh with thousands of Shekalim to eradicate Am Yisrael. Therefore,
Hashem in advance told Moshe to teach Am Yisrael the Mitzvah of bringing the Mahatzit HaShekel to cancel out the
Shekalim of Haman in the future. From this reason we bring the worth of Mahatzit HaShekel before Shabbat Zachor (in two Shabbats). When one gives
the donation, they need to say Zecher
LeMachatzit HaShekel and if they don’t say Zecher they enter a big problem (ask your local Rabbi for details).
2. On the Shabbat before Purim (in two weeks) we read the Parasha (passage)
of Zachor and read the Haftara
“Pakadeti Et Asher Asah Amalek.” This Parasha is mandatory to listen to, so
every time the congregation is making noise at the word “Amalek,” the Torah
reader should pause because one has to hear every word clearly for the Mitzvah.
For this Aliyah, a boy under 13 is not allowed to go up to the Torah. It is
also crucial that the congregation has the intention that the Torah reader is
fulfilling their Mitzvah while he has the intention to fulfill their Mitzvah of
reading Parashat Zachor.
Shabbat Shalom!
Shabbat Shekalim!
Sponsor today’s Halachot for the Ilui Neshama
(memory of) or Refua Shlema (the speedy recovery) of your loved one! Click the
Donate Button on the Right Sidebar and BH e-mail us (CLDFundraising@gmail.com)
with the name(s)!
0 comments:
Post a Comment