Remembrance of Machatzit HaShekel (Half Shekel)

The commandment of the Machatzit HaShekel appears in the Torah (Shemot 30: 11-15) and was kept during the Holy Temple period. In our times, it has become a custom and a mitzvah with a wonderful reward for everyone who keeps it.

Rabbi Chaim Palagi writes about it and promises: “Everyone who gives half a shekel is assured that he will have a portion in the World to Come, and no harm will happen to him during that year, and even if a decree is issued against him or his family, it will be annulled.”

Rabbi Chaim Palagi promises even more: “Whoever keeps the commandment of the Machatzit HaShekel is assured that he will not be short of money during that year.” Rabbi Chaim Palagi ends his promise saying that the fulfillment of this mitzvah guarantees protection from all evil and the full redemption of the soul from all past transgressions.

All the money donated in fulfillment of this commandment to Rabbi Shalom Arush’s Breslev Israel and Chut shel Chessed Institutions is used to support Torah scholars and to do outreach around the world, printing more books in different languages, maintaining the Breslev Israel multilingual website, and helping more and more people to live a life filled with emuna and true meaning.

The minimum donation is 29 shekels ($8.00) per person. A pregnant woman counts as two people.

To donate through a representative in our Jerusalem offices, contact  donations@breslev.co.il, Whatsapp +972523868452, or call 1-917-722-7795. 

After your donation is processed, a receipt will be automatically generated and sent to donations@breslev.co.il along with all the Hebrew names of the people represented by your donation. They will be added to a list of names that will go out to Rav Arush before Mincha on Taanit Esther (Wednesday, 12-Mar-2025).