This week we begin to read the first of the "four parshiyot" ; these are special sections of the Torah that we read in the weeks before Pesach. Shekalim which we read this week describes contributions that the Jewish People made that went to the tabernacle. Each year the Jewish People would bring a half shekel which would be used to buy the communal offerings that would be sacrificed in the coming year. It is interesting to note though that everyone contributed the same amount. It didn't matter if you were extremely rich, your contribution was the same as a poor man.

I believe we can learn an important lesson. Every persons mitzvah though was not the same. The reason for that is because like any mitzvah this mitzvah as well could have been performed with more awe and love, with more dedication and heart. Of course we should try to beautify the mitzvoth and in some cases that may allow a person with more money to beautify the mitzvah more than someone less fortunate, but when it comes to our observance of Hashem's command that is secondary to fulfilling the mitzvoth with joy and love.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath