Zecher LeMachatzit HaShekel: Difference between revisions
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The minhag is to give Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel as [[charity]] as a remembrance of the half shekel which was collected in the time of the Bet HaMikdash before Nissan. <ref> Maasechet Sofrim 21:3 writes that one should give the Machsit HaShekel before parshat zachor. Sh”t HaGeonim (Geonei Mizrach Umaarav 40) writes that those who have the minhag to collect Shekalim are doing improperly because those coins become hekdesh but one may collect [[tzedaka]]. Rama 694:1 writes that the minhag is to give Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel before [[Purim]]. </ref> | The minhag is to give Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel as [[charity]] as a remembrance of the half shekel which was collected in the time of the Bet HaMikdash before Nissan. <ref> Maasechet Sofrim 21:3 writes that one should give the Machsit HaShekel before parshat zachor. Sh”t HaGeonim (Geonei Mizrach Umaarav 40) writes that those who have the minhag to collect Shekalim are doing improperly because those coins become hekdesh but one may collect [[tzedaka]]. Rama 694:1 writes that the minhag is to give Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel before [[Purim]]. </ref> | ||
==When should it be given?== | ==When should it be given?== | ||
# Some have the minhag to give it before [[Mincha]] of Taanit Ester, while some have the minhag to give it after [[Mincha]] but before reading of the [[Megillah]]. <Ref> | # Some have the minhag to give it before [[Mincha]] of [[Taanit Ester]], while some have the minhag to give it after [[Mincha]] but before reading of the [[Megillah]].<Ref> | ||
* Rama 694:1 writes that the minhag is to give the Zecher Machsit HaShekel before [[Mincha]] of [[Tanit Ester]]. Mishna Brurah 694:4 affirms this minhag. Kaf HaChaim 694:25 adds that it should be given on [[Tanit Ester]] even if the Tanit is pushed off to the previous Thursday in order to combine the [[tzedaka]] with the fast. | * Rama 694:1 writes that the minhag is to give the Zecher Machsit HaShekel before [[Mincha]] of [[Tanit Ester]]. Mishna Brurah 694:4 affirms this minhag. Kaf HaChaim 694:25 adds that it should be given on [[Tanit Ester]] even if the Tanit is pushed off to the previous Thursday in order to combine the [[tzedaka]] with the fast. | ||
* However, Chazon Ovadyah ([[Purim]] pg 101) and Piskei Teshuvot 694:3 write that the minhag is to give it before the reading of the [[Megillah]] based on Gemara [[Megillah]] that says our shekalim counteract the shekalim of Haman read about in the [[Megillah]]. Kitzur | * However, Chazon Ovadyah ([[Purim]] pg 101) and Piskei Teshuvot 694:3 write that the minhag is to give it before the reading of the [[Megillah]] based on Gemara [[Megillah]] that says our shekalim counteract the shekalim of Haman read about in the [[Megillah]]. Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 141:5 seems to agree. | ||
* Natai Gavreil ([[purim]] 26:1) in name of Siddur Yavetz and Luach Eretz Yisrael write that the minhag is to give it between [[Mincha]] and [[maariv]]. Piskei Teshuvot (pg 119) writes that the minhag of Rav Shlomo Zalman and Rav Elyashiv was to give at the night of the 15th before the [[megillah]]. Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur | * Natai Gavreil ([[purim]] 26:1) in name of Siddur Yavetz and Luach Eretz Yisrael write that the minhag is to give it between [[Mincha]] and [[maariv]]. Piskei Teshuvot (pg 119) writes that the minhag of Rav Shlomo Zalman and Rav Elyashiv was to give at the night of the 15th before the [[megillah]]. Yalkut Yosef (Kitzur Shulchan Aruch Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel #1) writes that if one didn’t give it before [[Purim]] one should give it before the reading of the [[Megillah]]. </ref> | ||
==Calling it Zecher LeMachatzit HaShekel== | ==Calling it Zecher LeMachatzit HaShekel== | ||
# One should make sure to call the coins one is giving Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel and not Machsit HaShekel so people don't think it is hekdesh. <Ref> Maasechet Sofrim 21:3 writes that one shouldn't say one is giving the Machsit HaShekel for atonement but only as a voluntary. Darkei Moshe 694:1 quotes this from the Aggudah. Therefore, Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah ([[Purim]] pg 101) writes that one shouldn't call it Machsit HaShekel but rather Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel so that people don't think one is making it hekdesh. Rav Schachter (www.yutorah.org “[[Purim]]” 7/9/2008, min 1-3) also explained the Darkei Moshe in this way. Torat HaMoadim (pg 96), Zichronot Eliyahu (Shin #2), and Shalmei Todah ([[purim]] pg 270) agree. This is in opposition to Sh”t Divrei Yosef 52 who says that even saying that it is Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel is an issue and against Sh”t Zecher Simcha 76 who writes that it's permitted even to call it Machsit HaShekel. </ref> | # One should make sure to call the coins one is giving Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel and not Machsit HaShekel so people don't think it is hekdesh. <Ref> Maasechet Sofrim 21:3 writes that one shouldn't say one is giving the Machsit HaShekel for atonement but only as a voluntary. Darkei Moshe 694:1 quotes this from the Aggudah. Therefore, Rav Ovadyah in Chazon Ovadyah ([[Purim]] pg 101) writes that one shouldn't call it Machsit HaShekel but rather Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel so that people don't think one is making it hekdesh. Rav Schachter (www.yutorah.org “[[Purim]]” 7/9/2008, min 1-3) also explained the Darkei Moshe in this way. Torat HaMoadim (pg 96), Zichronot Eliyahu (Shin #2), and Shalmei Todah ([[purim]] pg 270) agree. This is in opposition to Sh”t Divrei Yosef 52 who says that even saying that it is Zecher LeMachsit HaShekel is an issue and against Sh”t Zecher Simcha 76 who writes that it's permitted even to call it Machsit HaShekel. </ref> | ||
