This coming Shabbat has many components.
We will read the first of four special Haftoras which are predecessors to Passover.
Yes.
I said Passover.
This first one is called Shabbat Shekalim when we read about the half shekels that were donated in Temple times for upkeep of the Temple and to help pay for the sacrifices that were brought in the Temple service on behalf of the entire nation.
Only a half shekel was donated by each person and each shekel represented a person.
This particular narrative reminds us that every donation, no matter how small, is significant.
Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, current Chief Rabbi of England, teaches us that this entire Shabbat is dedicated to the concept of giving. He reminds us that giving does not only benefit the receiver but the giver as well.
He reminds us of Maimonides question regarding a donor who has a sum of 100 silver coins to donate. Maimonides asks if the donor should give all the money to one cause, or perhaps give one coin to one hundred causes?
Maimonides answers - it’s better to give 100 individual pieces to 100 separate causes.
The donor is affected by the act of giving over and over. It ennobles the character of the donor as he does 100 reps, strengthening that giving muscle.
Rabbi Mervis reminds us that the rest of the book of Shmot, Exodus will be focused on giving and donating to the Tabernacle.
So this Shabbat Shekalim reminds us of the importance of giving and seeing the one who is in need.
The next exciting event on Shabbat is the blessing of the incoming month which is called Adar.
Adar is a month of simcha or joy.
As the month of Adar approaches we are told that it is an appropriate time to add to our regular level of joy.
It seems interesting that we are exhorted to be happy, would that not depend on outside influences that “just happen”?
The word simcha is a conjugation of two words: som moach which means where you put your mind.
In other words-mindfulness.
Happiness is not just happenstance. It is a conscious decision to choose joy.
We can take any experience and with intention turn it into something joyous.
There is a Yiddish tale which takes place in the 1800s in Poland and it is about an orange. The orange was not something easily found in that circumstance. Once someone was gifted with an orange. The tale explains how the experience of that orange was turned into a smorgasbord of experience. One day they peeled it and smelled the rind. The next day they took the orange and divided it into sections, watching the juice dribble out. Only on day three was each person given a segment to enjoy.
Unfortunately I don’t eat an orange like that.
Rabbi Avigdor Miller often speaks about the love Gd shows for us by creating fruits in dramatic color with incredible flavors. Gd could have given us those nutrients in black and white tasting like straw. Instead we are regaled with a rainbow of colors and flavors.
If we experience life on that way - we can experience more joy.
I often cite the incredible organization in Israel called Shalvah which supports children with severe disabilities. This organization was founded by a couple whose healthy toddler received a tainted vaccination which left him deaf, mute and blind. They used this challenge as a catapult to greatness by establishing an organization which brings respite and succor to so many.
Their lives are forever enriched by knowing they have brought comfort to multitudes.
Once again the donor receives as much as the recipient.
Happiness is hard work, but the message is to take all the messy ingredients that life serves and use them to bake a cake.
Happiness comes from finding meaning in the mess.
This week’s Torah portion dovetails these ideas.
The portion which is called Mishpatim, details many laws of torts and civil damages.
This may seem like a bit of mundane after the fire and brimstone of the giving of the Ten Commandments. But it is actually the perfect segue to real life.
These commandments are the pathway by which we are to lead our lives.
The Talmud teaches that a person who wants to be pious should learn the laws of damages.
A pious person is called a chassid.

The Nesivos Shalom, a 20th century book on Chassidic thought and inspiration, teaches that in order to be a pious person, a chossid, one must engage in Chessed, loving kindness.
The purpose of studying and following Torah is to achieve transformational growth.
Every time we do a Mitzva we change and grow.
By being aware of others and their needs we expand.
By seeing the needs of others an individual can move away from egocentrism.
The laws of damages in this week’s portion are not just about oxen. They are the vehicle to sensitizing ourselves to the needs of others.
If we see someone has suffered a loss of any kind, we can come to their aid and become a vehicle of Chessed, loving kindness.
A young man was walking down a street and was delighted to run into his 4th grade teacher. He excitedly introduced himself and the teacher greeted him warmly but admitted that with the passage of time he actually did not remember his former student. The student said my name is so and so and I’m sure you remember me because of “The Incident “. Again the Rabbi explained he did not recall. So the former student shared the following tale.
When he was in 4th grade, a fellow student came in wearing a fabulous watch. The student was obsessed with that watch and really wanted it for himself. One day, during recess, the owner of the cool watch, removed it to play ball. The student was alone in the classroom. This was his chance. Without thinking, he scooped up the watch and hid it in his jacket pocket. Immediately he felt tremendous remorse, but it was too late to return the watch as students were returning to the classroom.
The watch owner was devastated and ran to tell the teacher of the mishap. The Rabbi faced the class and calmly requested the watch be returned. The perpetrator was in a panic. His life would be over. He would be mortally embarrassed to admit his wrongdoing. He remained silent, awaiting the inevitable.
Finally the teacher asked the boys to line up and lean against the wall and he would quietly inspect the pockets of each one. When he arrived at the perpetrator he removed the watch but continued checking all the pockets of everyone else in the line.
After all pockets were checked the Rabbi said the watch had been found and returned it to the owner. Another word was not said. The student felt he had a reprieve from a death sentence. He was eternally grateful to his teacher for truly seeing him and preserving his dignity.
The student concluded his story by saying that he was inspired by this incident to become a teacher himself.
Then he turned to the teacher and asked him if this had jogged his memory and now he remembered him?
The teacher responded quietly,
“I never knew who it was, I kept my eyes closed”.
This week is a Shabbat dedicated to giving. It teaches us that every gift is meaningful and brings true happiness. It is through the pathways of Torah that we are equipped to see one another and that is the lane which brings one to greatness.
And sometimes we have to close our eyes in order to really see the soul of another.
Adar is coming - be happy!
Shabbat Shalom and so much love!