On Shabbos Parshas Vayigash 5747 (1987)
the Rebbe spoke of the extraordinary moment we are living in, a time that calls for unity and preparation for the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash and the coming of Moshiach.
Preparation is not only spiritual. At a certain point, it must become practical.
If Moshiach were to come today, would we be ready for the very first mitzvah our nation will once again fulfill together; the Korban Tamid?
That mitzvah requires the Machatzis Hashekel.
This is not symbolic. It is a tangible halachic requirement, something that must already be in hand.
Rabbi Keller received a directive from the Rebbe to prepare himself to rule together with the Beis Din. This project is part of that charge: turning anticipation into readiness.
The Machatzis Hashekel enables each of us to move from hope to action: united, prepared, and ready.
With a profound dedication to Torah and Mitzvos, Rabbi Keller has been a guiding light in the community for decades. His teachings emphasize the importance of preparing for the coming of Moshiach, not just spiritually, but through practical actions that strengthen our connection to the Bais Hamikdash.
This campaign is a direct result of his vision to empower every individual to be ready to fulfill the Mitzvah of Machatzis Hashekel immediately, without delay, when the time comes.
The Rambam writes:
- There is a positive commandment that every Jewish man gives a half-shekel [to the Bais Hamikdash treasury], as stated in the Torah: “..This shall be given by all those included in the census”.
- It is clear and explicit in the Torah, that G-d’s commandments remain forever without change, addition, or diminishment; one may not add to it or diminish from it.
- In the era of Moshiach, when the Jews return to Eretz Yisroel, and rebuild the Bais Hamikdash; [the observance of] all the laws will return to their previous state.. according to all the particulars mentioned by the Torah.
- A Jewish man must give the half-shekel all at once (and not a portion of it at one time, and the remainder in a separate donation to the Beis Hamikdash).
Therefore, a prerequisite to fulfilling the Mitzvah of “Machatzis Hashekel” is to mint a silver “Machatzis Hashekel” coin that people can contribute to the Beis Hamikdosh once a year.
We pray each day: והשב העבודה לדביר ביתך .. ותחזינה עינינו בשובך לציון ברחמים (restore the service to Your holy Sanctuary.. May our eyes behold Your merciful return to Zion). When Moshiach comes and The Beis Hamikdosh is rebuilt, the Kohanim will bring the communal sacrifices that are financed by every member of Klal Yisroel (obligatory for Men who are thirteen years and older; optional for boys under the age of thirteen and for women) contributing a Machatzis Hashekel (a half-shekel) once a year (which pays: for the Communal offerings).
The mitzvah of the annual contribution of Machatzis Hashekel for the Korbonos Tzibur [described ibid 30:12-13] must be fulfilled by any child who reaches the age of 13 years old (see Ramban Exodus 30:12; Tosfos Yom Tov Shkolim 1:4).
