By the Grace of G‑d
Erev Shabbos Parshas Shekolim, 5726
[February 18, 1966]
Brooklyn, N.Y.

To All Participants in the “Evening With Lubavitch” in Philadelphia, Pa.
G‑d bless you—

Greeting and Blessing:

It is significant that the “Evening With Lubavitch” is taking place on Rosh Chodesh Adar. In olden days, when the Beis Hamikdosh was in existence, the first day of Adar was noted for the “Shekolim Call” which went out on that day, whereupon every Jew contributed a half-shekel to the Sanctuary chest which provided the public sacrifices on behalf of all the Jewish people.

The saintly Rebbe the “Tzemach Tzedek” (so named after his monumental Halachah work)—and this year marks the 100th anniversary of his demise—in discussing the Mitzvah of Machtzis haShekel in one of his renowned Chassidic-philosophical works, offers some insights into this Mitzvah requiring no more and no less than half a shekel. It indicates, he explains, that when a Jew makes a contribution toward a sacred cause, it is immediately matched by a similar benevolence from G‑d to him, in accordance with the principle that human initiative acts like an impulse which calls forth a corresponding impulse from On High. The two, together, constitute the complete Shekel ha-Kodesh (“holy shekel”).

Moreover, though human endeavor must be voluntary and spontaneous, the assurance has been given that where there is a resolute intention, the person receives aid from On High to carry it to fruition in the fullest measure.

To be sure, the physical Sanctuary in Jerusalem was destroyed and the sacrificial service has since been interrupted. Nevertheless, in a spiritual sense the Sanctuary and all that was connected with it have never ceased; they exist in our daily experience and practice of the Torah teachings and Mitzvos. This is one of the aspects of our infinite Torah, which is in no way subject to the limitations of time and place.

The Mitzvah of the Half Shekel teaches us, among other things, that human effort, provided it is sincere and resolute, is “met halfway” by Divine Grace. Thus, though the goal may, at first glance, seem too ambitious or even beyond reach, we are not limited to our own human resources, since our initial effort evokes a reciprocal “impulse” from On High which assures the attainment of even the “unattainable.”

The Mitzvah of the Half-Shekel was originally related to the Beis Hamikdosh, where simple material objects were transformed into things of holiness, through dedication and sacrifice. Such is the unlimited power which the Creator vested in the Jew by means of the Torah and Mitzvos originating in the Ein Sof.

Every Jew has the power to transform small and ordinary things of nature into values and categories which transcend nature—through living his daily life in accord with the will and command of G‑d. In this way the Jew fulfills his purpose in life and the ultimate destiny of Creation, namely to make an abode for the Holy One here on earth, in fulfillment of the Divine command, “Let them make Me a Sanctuary that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).

To the realization of this destiny of the individual Jew and of the Jewish people as a whole, the Lubavitch activities in all parts of the world are dedicated.

I take this opportunity to extend prayerful wishes to each and all participants in the “Evening With Lubavitch.” May it be a source of lasting inspiration to you all, and an abiding influence towards the experience of a fuller, nobler and, indeed, holier daily life, where the material “half-shekel” is balanced by its heavenly counterpart “in the scale of holiness” (b’shekel hakodesh), ensuring a harmonious and truly happy life, materially and spiritually.

With blessing,