Machatzit Hashekel
It is customary during the month of Adar to make a charitable donation to commemorate the “Machatzit HaShekel” the annual half-shekel tax that every Jew would give during the times of the Beit Ha’mikdash to fund the expenses of the Beit Ha’mikdash.
To fulfill this custom, how much should one give?
Option 1 — Rema (Three Half-Coins)
- In accordance with the custom of the Rema to give three coins, each equal to half of the local currency ($1.50 per person) Donate $1.50 per person
Option 1 - $1.50 Per Person
Option 2 — Kaf HaChaim (One-Coin)
- Hidur based on the custom of the Kaf HaChaim to give the value of 1 Machatzit HaShekel equal to 9.6 grams of silver (coin = 9.6g silver ≈ $24) Donate $24 per person