- Q. Dear Rov. I have seen often that on the plates for collection of the coins of the half shekel on Purim they place a note reading “Machatzit Hashekel”, is that correct and proper? After all it could be understood that the givers are actually sanctifying those coins for that purpose and the users would then transgress in using sanctified coins?
A. Indeed Poskim do mention that it is proper to add the word “Zecher” or in memory of the Machatzis Hashekel given on the past, and that these coins are not the real “Machatzis Hashekel” to be used for sacrifices when the Bais Hamikdosh will Be'H soon be rebuild. (See Nitei Gavriel 8: 1-2).
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is similar.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Dovid Pam, Horav Aharon Miller, Horav Chanoch Ehrentreu Shlit’a and Horav Kalman Ochs Shlit’a.
Important Numbers
