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Ki-Tisa (2025)

Shabbat Parshat Ki-Tisa
First off, a Happy Purim to everyone!
In the words of the Megillah, wishing us all light and joy on this special day

Dvar Torah
The Parshah opens up with the Mitzva of machatzit hashekel – the annual giving of half-shekel coins which doubled as a census and as a fund for the Temple service. The denomination of half a Shekel is not incidental and indicates the interdependence of the Jewish People, we each need each other to be part of something bigger, and every single person counts. We need each and every one of us to come together to achieve great things.

A personal anecdote: A few weeks ago, ahead of an early morning flight from London, I saw a gentleman who was praying shacharit in solitude at the side of the gate before the flight. I joined him and it was just the two of us with our Tefillin (phylacteries) and Talit (prayer shawl). As we concluded he remarked to me "עוד אחת, זה עוד הרבה יותר" - “Just one more person makes all the difference”

Trivia – Purim is not over yet! Colleagues in Jerusalem will continue celebrating over Shabbat and Sunday, observing a unique occurrence known as “triple Purim” which happens when the 14th of Adar falls on a Friday. The next time this happens will only be in 2055!

Shabbat times here 

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