Ki Tisa | When You Take | כִּי תִשָּׂא
Ki Tisa literally means “when you lift up.” It comes from the first words of the second verse of the reading, which could be literally rendered, “When you lift up the head of the sons of Israel to reckon them” (Exodus 30:12). The phrase “lift up the head” is an idiom for taking a head count. The portion begins with instructions for taking a census, finishes up the instructions for making the Tabernacle, reiterates the commandment of Shabbat, and then proceeds to tell the story of the golden calf. The majority of Ki Tisa is concerned with the sin of the golden calf, the breach in the covenant between God and Israel, and how Moses undertakes to restore that covenant relationship.
When it came to this half-shekel contribution, wealthy and poor alike were to donate the exact same amount—no more, no less. Each contribution was equal in its value and importance, and, when brought together collectively, made a whole. No one was “more” and no one was “less.”
From this we learn the important lesson that each of us has our own individual value, and each individual is equally valued in God’s eyes. Everyone has a chance to count, every person matters, everyone is important. We must recognize the equal value of each individual, and that each individual’s contribution has value. Also, remember that your own contribution is as equally important as everyone else’s. The objective is to not be intimidated by what you have or by what you don’t have.
Half of a Whole
What is the meaning of every person bringing only a half-shekel versus a whole shekel? The Sages say that the half-shekel payment accentuates the fact that no person is complete in and of themselves. When the census was taken, each person’s half-shekel helped bring the community together as a whole. No person is complete when they are alone. Connection is essential to who you are. In marriages, families, communities, and places of work—we need one another to be complete and achieve our purpose.
Day 1 John 11:47-56 Exodus 30:11-31:17
Day 2 Exodus 32:1-35
Day 3 Exodus 33:1-23
Day 4 Exodus 34:1-26
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