The Haftarah for Parashat Shekalim 5762

This week's Haftarah for Shabbat Mishpatim is the first of four special Haftarahs.

Read from the Book of Melachim Beit (Kings II)
Sephardim read Chapters 11:17-12:17

King Yehoash Repairs the Bait Hamikdash (Holy Temple) with the Half-Shekel coins donated by Bnai Yisrael (The Nation of Israel).

The Story Line of This Week's Haftorah: Yehoash's life is saved from being killed by evil Jewish rulers and he is established as King of Israel. He makes a covenant between Hashem, the King and the Nation of Israel. He set up that they should be Hashem's people and not worship idols anymore. In addition, regardless of Jehoash being very young, he requested that the people honor his requests. Shortly afterwards many Jews came to the temple of the idol Ba'al and destroyed it. They smashed the altars and images used in pagan worshipping; they also slew Mattan, the chief priest of Ba'al. King Yehoash re-instituted the performing of the ceremonies in the Holy Temple by the Kohanim and Leveim. The people of Israel then celebrated Yehoash's appointment as King. He was seven years old when he began to rule. He ruled for 40 years. His mother's name was Silvia of Be-er Sheva. King Yehoash was very righteous. Jehoash said to the Kohanim take the Shekalim that has been donated to the Bait Hamikdash and use it to repair the Temple. Twenty-three years passed and still the Kohanim didn't supervise the renovation of the Temple. King Jehoyash summoned the Jehoyada the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and questioned why hadn't the repairs to the Bait Hamikdash been completed? Jehoyada had no answer but he agreed to get the job done. Jehoyada then took a chest and made a hole in the lid. He placed it on the right side of the altar when people came to the Temple to offer their sacrifices they would make a donation. Whenever the chest would fill up with Shekalim the king's scribe and high priest would distribute the money to the men rebuilding the Holy Temple. Everyone worked on the honor system.

The Haftorah's Connection between the Parasha and Haftorah: This week is the first of the four special Haftarahs that we read during the months of Adar and Nissan. They are Shekalim, Zachor, Para, and Parashat Hachodesh. Parashat Shekalim is found at the beginning of Parasha Ki Tisa teaches the Jews of the commandment to donate coins valued at half a shekel to the Holy Temple. This Mitzvah was performed annually as long as the Bait Hamikdash (Holy Temple) stood. Beginning with the new moon of the month of Nissan every male over the age of twenty had to prepare his share.

Haftorahman's Lesson of the week: Leaders don't have to be older people. We can learn from the Haftorah that young people can be leaders as well. The Torah has given us the guidelines and we are free to pick a mitzvah to lead other people into doing. This week start to look for a mitzvah that you feel comfortable reviving in your life as well as others'.

Yehoash's Biographical Information:King of Judah for 40 years. He was born in Jerusalem in 835 b.c.e. His father was Ahaziah. His mother was Z'via of Be-er Sheva. His son was Amaziah. Jehoash died when he was about 60 years old and he's buried in Jerusalem. Zechariah was the Kohen gadol and a prophet in his time.

Timeline: This Haftarah occurred 2650 years ago

Map: In Jerusalem.

*Shekel of Israel, 1st revolt, 67-68 CE (year 2), AR, 13.6g 13/16" dia. O: Chalice/Omer cup with pearled rim (shekel of Israel) around (year 2)above chalice R: stem with pearled bottom and three pomegranates (Jerusalem the Holy)

Written by: The Haftorahman - Reuven Gavriel ben Nissim Ebrahimoff 5762-2001

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