Best Efforts

Life doesn’t require that we be the best, only that we try our best. -H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

Before the construction of the Tabernacle at the foot of Mount Sinai, there is a command to collect a half-shekel contribution from each man over the age of twenty. The rich could not contribute more than half a shekel and the poor could not contribute less. The contribution was the method that the national census was conducted, and so, the amount given needed to be exact.

Rabbi Hirsch on Exodus 30:13, in his flowery language, draws out a few lessons from the half-shekel contribution:

“This they shall give. Not with the sum of his concrete accomplishments but with the symbolic expression of what he knows to be his duty shall each one come near to God at the moment when his is to “pass” from the ranks of the uncounted into the ranks of those that have been counted. There is no greater distinction and no greater bliss than to be among those who have been counted for and by God, to take one’s place on God’s roster even though one be in the most humble circumstances, and even in the most transient moment of life on earth, to be counted as a member of the hosts of God. Only after having become aware of the full extent of his duty and after having resolved to perform it fully can one pass from the nondescript crowd of the selfish multitudes into the ennobled circle of those who have been counted by God, and attain the blissful awareness that he is now among those whom God has numbered among His own.”

“However, the contribution required of each individual is symbolized by Mahazit Hashekel, not one whole shekel but only one half-shekel. Viewed objectively, not even the most complete and perfect contribution of any one individual can accomplish the whole the work that must be done. The effort of any individual can only be a fragment of the whole. An equally selfless sacrifice of his brother is required in order to produce the whole. In fact, it is not expected of any one individual to accomplish the entire task (as per Pirkei Avot 2:21). But the individual is indeed expected to make his personal contribution to the whole, weighed by the standard of the Sanctuary. One shekel was equivalent to 20 gerahs, of which the individual was expected to contribute ten; thus, viewed subjectively, one rounded whole. Let it be his whole contribution as far as he is concerned. Let him weigh it out with scrupulous accuracy, no matter how small a fraction his own contribution represents in relation to the whole of the task to be accomplished. Let him leave nothing undone, let him not withhold any effort, any talent, any ability that could help promote the welfare of the whole. Although you are not expected to complete the entire task, “you are not free to desist from it” (the end of the refrain from Pirkei Avot 2:21). Let his half-shekel comprise a complete unit by the standard of the Sanctuary.”

Though we may be limited in what we can accomplish individually, if we try our best, if we give it our all, it will be a complete contribution in the eyes of God.

Shabbat Shalom,

Ben-Tzion

Dedication

To my friend Egbert Pijfers on his visit to Israel and his participation in the Jerusalem Marathon with all the other runners, especially those doing so for the multiplicity of charitable causes.