When Moses received the command to build the Tabernacle, he was told that the Israelites were to make a compulsory gift of a half shekel. There were actually two such gifts. One was a one-time contribution of silver for the sockets upon which the walls of the Tabernacle rested. The other half shekel was an annual contribution to cover the cost of all communal offerings. The annual half shekel was collected during the month of Adar (just before the Passover), so that the funds would be ready in time for the month of Nisan, when the new year of sacrifices begins. The chapter about the half shekel is read in synagogues on the Shabbat before the beginning of that month, in order to remind the people to donate for the offerings, as was done in the old days. In addition, on Purim, we actually contribute a half shekel in honor of the holiday of Purim.

In the book of Esther we read that the wicked Haman offered King Ahasueros an impressive ten thousand silver blocks to influence the king to grant him permission to destroy the entire Jewish nation. However, our Sages teach us that Haman's efforts were preempted by the Jewish people's annual donation during the month of Adar to the Temple for the offerings. How in fact did the Jews' donation preempt Haman's offer? Rabbi David Siegel explains that the Jews' annual donation demonstrated their proper understanding of the power of wealth. They allocated their wealth to the most worthy of causes and eagerly donated annually, without fail, ten thousand blocks of silver to YHVH's service. Their proper approach to wealth and its positive values protected them from Haman's financial influence on the king. Because they understood and used wealth properly they were protected from the misuse of wealth. This is the lesson of the mandatory half shekel.