Daily Chumash Sunday Ki Sisa: The census taking and Machatzis Hashekel

Parshas Ki Sisa

Pesukim: 139 [Siman: חננאל]

Haftorah: Melachim 1 18:20[1]-39

Rishon

1. The census taking and Machatzis Hashekel donation:
   • Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “When you take a census of the Jewish people, each man is to give Hashem an atonement of his soul, in order so there should not be a plague amongst them when they are counted.”
   • What to give: All those who are counted are to give a half shekel of the holy shekel which is worth twenty Geira. It is a donation to Hashem.
   • From what age: Everyone from twenty years and up is to give the donation to Hashem to atone for their souls.
   • Its use: The money is to be used for the Temple service and be a remembrance for the Jewish people to atone for their souls.

2. The Kiyor:
   • Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: You shall make a Kiyor sink and pedestal for washing. You are to fill it with water.
   • Material: The Kiyur and its pedestal is to be made of copper.
   • Location: It is to be placed between the Ohel Moed and altar.
   • Its use to wash the hands and feet: The Kohanim are to use the Kiyor to wash their hands and feet upon entering the Ohel Moed, or upon doing service on the altar. This needs to be done so they don’t die in their Avoda.

1. The Shemen Hamishcha:
   • The ingredients: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: Take the following prime spices and make the anointing oil:
     1. Pure myrrh, 500 Shekel’s weight.
     2. Aromatic cinnamon, 250 shekel’s weight, brought twice [for a total of 500].
     3. Cane of aromatic spice, 250 shekels weight
     4. The Kiddah root, 500 Shekel’s weight.
     5. A Hin of olive oil.

• The above ingredients are to be mixed by a spice blender and be turned into a sacred anointing oil.
• Its use-What is anointed with it: The Ohel Moed and the Aron is to be anointed using this oil. Likewise, the Shulchan, Menorah, gold and copper Mizbeiach, and all their accessory vessels are to be anointed with this oil. The Kiyor and its pedestal is to be anointed with this oil. Through doing so, the vessels will become holy and anything that touches them will become consecrated. Likewise, Aaron and his sons are to be anointed with this oil and they will thus become consecrated to serve me as Kohanim.
• Not to use it or make a replica: Tell the Jewish people that no man may anoint himself with the above oil and no man may make a replica of the above oil. Anyone who makes a replica of it or who uses it on a non-Kohen, will be cut off from his nation [i.e. Kareis].

4. The Ketores:
   • The ingredients: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “Take the following prime spices and make the Ketores:”
     1. Nataf/Stacte.
     2. Shecheiles/onycha.

• Chelbana/galbanum

1. Spices and pure frankincense.

• All the above ingredients are to be of equal weight. The above ingredients are to be mixed by a spice blender and be turned into the Ketores incense. Some of it is to be finely ground, and some of it is to be placed before the Eidus, within the Ohel Moed. It shall be to you a holy of holies.
• Not to make a replica: One may not create a replica of the Ketores for the sake of smelling it, under the penalty of Kareis.

5. Appointment of Betzalel to build the Mishkan.

• Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “I have appointed Betzalel the son of Uri of the tribe of Yehuda to perform all the work of building the Mishkan and its accessories. I have filled him with wisdom and understanding to perform all the work. I have appointed to work with him Ohaliav the son of Achisamach from the tribe of Dan. They are to make the Ohel Moed, the Aron, the Kapores, the vessels of the Ohel, the Shulchan, the Menorah, the Ketores altar, the Olah altar, the Kiyor, and all their accessories. They are to make the priestly garments, the anointing oil and Ketores, as I commanded.”

6. Guard the Shabbos:
   • A covenant between us and G-d: Hashem spoke to Moshe saying: “Tell the Jewish people that they are to guard the Shabbos as it is a sign and covenant between Me and them for all generations so that they know that I am Hashem who sanctifies you.”
   • Punishment for desecration: One who desecrates the Shabbos is liable for death and is liable for Kareis, to be cut off from the nation.
   • In commemoration of creation: One is to work six days and on the seventh day it is to be a complete rest, as in six days the world was created and on the seventh day I rested.

[1] So is followed by Sepharadi communities and Chabad. However, Ashkenazi communities begin reading from verse 18:1.