One of my congregants refused to accept any compliments for the way he was raising his children, "Save them up for after they are married well and settled. My wife and I have only begun our job!" So, I've been saving up all the compliments, and, after I recently listened to one of his younger children, now a rabbi, teach, I asked the young man to forward my compliments. "He won't accept them just yet. He still feels his job is unfinished." The man clearly relished his children's accomplishments and magnificent character traits, but focused his attention on what still needed to be done, something, I admired until I heard his son's comment. The idea of unfinished jobs has been on my mind ever since.

Old lectures, essays, and newsletters, are all unfinished tasks. It isn't just the editing that is unfinished, but all the ideas can be expanded, and the numerous connections to other concepts and situations leave me feeling the task remains unfinished.

It's not an unpleasant feeling; it's a challenge to seek more ("I Want More!"). This was the approach I took to understanding the Mitzvah of the Half-Shekel ("The Weight of My Accomplishments"). However, there is something Moses says just before climbing Sinai to receive the Divine Tablets, a gift honoring supreme accomplishment and awareness, that leads me to consider my reading of the Half-Shekel, well, unfinished. "He said to the elders, 'Wait here for us until we come back to you. Aaron and Hur are with you, and anyone involved in a dispute can go to them' (Exodus 24:14)." The people have entered a covenant with God, joyfully declaring, "We will observe and we will relate (Verse 7)," and, Moses is concerned with people's grievances! The people are holy. Their leaders "saw the Empowering Force of Israel (Verse 10)," and God invited Moses to ascend to the Heavens, and his final instructions are about common disputes! Is Moses hinting that the people's work is unfinished? I think not!

When, "Moses ascended the mountain (Verse 15)," he was celebrating the nation's accomplishments despite their work remaining unfinished. "The glory of God settled on Mount Sinai. For six days the cloud covered the mountain, and on the seventh day He called to Moses from within the cloud. To the Israelites the glory of God appeared as a consuming fire on top of the mountain (Verses 16-17)," is a celebration of their accomplishments. Accomplishments should be celebrated, even when the job is unfinished. This is the lesson of the Half-Shekel: Celebrate our accomplishments even when we are aware that there is so much more to be done. The incomplete job that is honored for the accomplishment it is, becomes The Foundation Stone upon which the remaining tasks will be completed.

Many couples are intimidated by the thought of attending a Relationship Seminar because they are focused on the missing second half of the Shekel. Those who can treasure what they have achieved and focus on the Half-Shekel­ that is holy, have the foundation upon which to better their relationship.

We can use this Shabbat Shekalim to honor the growth of everyone in our lives, offering that honor as the holiest Half-Shekel, the ones used to fuel our future growth. There are times when Half a Compliment is far more special than waiting for the job to be finished. This Shabbat is one of them.

Rabbi Simcha L. Weinberg 

President 
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