Shekalim 15 - April 5, 23 Nisan

A week of learning is sponsored by Tina Lamm and Dodi Lamm in memory of their beloved mother-in-law and aunt, Mrs. Mindy Lamm, Mindel bat Shalom v’Toba Hessa, "whose first yahrzeit was on Acharon shel Pesach. We miss her love, her elegance and beauty, and her fierce dedication to family and to Torah, more than words can say."

Today’s Daf is sponsored by Achsah Weinberg "in memory of my cousin, Ketzia Fraenkel, a woman of love and chesed, an exemplary daughter and sister, an exemplary mother and savta, a תלמידה חכמה, who held ואהבת לרעך כמוך as her motto. Ketzia was taken from this world on the 17th of Nissan, 5781, Chol Ha'Moed Pesach. I miss you already!" And by Tamar Orvell in honor of Hamutal and Shira. "With gratitude for your spirited and joyous learning and teaching Talmud, and for bringing the conversations, dilemmas, personalities, commentaries, and lessons from the pages in compelling ways both fun and serious. With love and respect." And by Gitta Neufeld "in honor of our intrepid Di and the cookbook crew for enhancing our physical enjoyment of the chag while the Hadran shiur enhanced the spiritual side. Things are always better with the Daf and chocolate!"

There were two chambers in the Temple used to collect items from the public – one for charity and one for utensils. How were the money/items handling in each? What is the best way to give charity? The gemara brings a number of stories regarding charity giving. The rabbis rebuke those who put a lot of money into fancy synagogues instead of supporting people who are struggling to support themselves and cannot find time to learn Torah. If there is a need, can one use the money designated for sacrifices for other things and vice-versa? There were 13 shofarot for collecting money in the Temple, 13 tables and 13 prostrations. What happened to the Aron, Ark of the Covenant, after the destruction of the First Temple? Was it hidden somewhere underground in the Temple or was it plundered? Were there two of them or only one?