Maghen Abraham - Thoughts From Mayer Sasson

"….then shall they give a ransom each one for his person… half a shekel in the weights of the Sanctuary…" (30,12-13)

All Jews need one another

We must know that the fact that Moshe was commanded to collect half a shekel from the Children of Israel and not a whole shekel contains therein great intentions. The Torah thereby came to tell every Jew that a person never reaches perfection when he is by himself; it is only when he connects together with another Jew.

Therefore, when each Jew gave only "half a shekel" to Moshe in the census two gifts of two people added up to one whole shekel.

Moreover, no one in Israel ever knew who had joined him to make his half a shekel into a whole one. This teaches us that the simplest Jew has the power to supplement and perfect even the greatest in Israel.

As it says in the sefer "Ahavat Yonatan:" The reason why they gave half a shekel and why one was not allowed to give more is lest a person think that he doesn't need others; All Jews need one another and a person alone is nothing."

The half a shekel alone was not worth anything if it was not joined up with another half a shekel and therefore they gave "every one that passed over to the numbered ones" half a shekel – to teach a person that he alone is nothing and all Jews have to come to be one group and therefore "the rich shall give no more". 

Shabbat Shalom!!