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Beit Midrash
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The answer is in the great message of the flip-side of the giving requirement, the mandate that no one should surpass the set amount (ibid.:15), and the desired result of lechaper al nafshoteichem (to obtain atonement for your souls) (ibid.). Rashi (ad loc.) explains that the atonement refers to the korb’not tzibbur (the sacrifices of the public), which were bought from these monies.
The Imrei Baruch (pg. 203), basing himself on the B’er Moshe and others, explains that a major component of kapara (atonement), including that of Yom Kippur, is the existence of unity. There are korbanot that can be brought by a single individual but not by partners. Yet, these same korbanot can be brought on behalf of the community. While it is possible to say that this is a second track, there is a more profound explanation. That is that when a korban is brought by and for the entire nation, the mass of individuals merge into a single unit, the community.
In this context, the half shekel has special significance. In order to have a full sense of community, everyone must take part. There is no one who is exempt from the concept of giving. The halacha is that even one who has no choice but to be supported from tzedakah must donate at least a third of a shekel yearly. Otherwise, he does not fulfill his mitzva of tzedakah (Rambam, Matnot Aniyim 7:5). One could have thought that such a person would not be obligated in tzedakah, as, in effect, extenuating circumstances prevent him from doing so. After all, if he can spare the money he is giving, he shouldn’t have taken it in the first place.
While one can give technical answers, the correct one is apparently the following. Just as the poor person cannot be deprived of performing various ritual mitzvot (see Pesachim 99b), so too he cannot be deprived from taking part in the mitzva to donate. The ability to give connects one to the community in the most basic way.
At the other end of the spectrum, when one gives large donations, he receives a special part in the merits of the project(s) to which he gives. Not only does need necessitate taking significant donations from those who can afford it, but it is the right and privilege of the wealthy to do so, as the blessing of wealth was bestowed upon these people from Above. However, in the most basic matters of community, such as the korb’not tzibbur, everyone must be equals, or the full element of community will be missing, with all of its crucial values.
Rabbis in Midrash
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D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
