This week’s Torah portion starts with the words: “When you take the census of the children of Yisrael, to register them, then each one shall give an atonement for his life to Yahweh, when you register them, so that there is no plague among them when you register them. Everyone among those who are registered is to give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the set-apart placel” (Shemot 30:11-13). The parashah (Ex 30:11-34:35) is called “Ki Tisa”, after the first couple of words, “when you take …”.
So, how was this census taken? It was not taken by counting the people directly. Each one was required to give half a shekel, and then the collected coins were counted. For some reason or other, Yahweh does not prefer his people to be counted directly. In the time of Shaul, the first king of Israel, the people were counted by everyone donating a sheep, and then the sheep were counted. King David was found guilty and punished for counting the people directly during his reign. Even up to this day, the people living in Israel are not counted by head, but by making use of an indirect way of counting. Why is this? The Jews have their own various explanations, but perhaps the best explanation is this: In Yahweh’s eyes people are not to be regarded as numbers. Numbers are counted out or written down almost mechanically and lifelessly and are basically all equal and the same. People, on the other hand, are unique, complex, each one having his or her own personality, creativity and accomplishments. So when each person was required to bring half a shekel, the distinction was clear to everyone: the coins are the same, but the people are different and these differences need to be honoured at all times.
People have often wondered about these words: “each one shall give an atonement for his life to Yahweh”. How can half a shekel be an atonement for one’s life or one’s soul? How can something as small and as insignificant and as earthly as half a shekel be an atonement for something as precious as one’s soul? If these contributions were going to serve as atonement, if they were required to restore the people in their relationship with Yahweh, how on earth was half a shekel worthy enough?
The Jewish commentators have an explanation for this in the form of a traditional story that some of the old rabbis have added to the text that we have in Shemot 30. It all starts with verse 13, where we read these words: “Everyone among those who are registered is to give this (Hebrew word: “zeh”) …”. This word “zeh” can also be translated with “in such a way” or “such as this”. So the Jewish commentators are saying that before the Almighty spoke these words, He showed Mosheh something. They believe that the word “zeh” refers to something that Mosheh had seen, something that serves as an example for the people of Israel to follow when each of them brings in his or her half a shekel that is supposed to be an atonement for their lives. What was it that was shown to Mosheh? The Jewish commentators believe that the Almighty took a coin of fire from under His throne and showed it to Mosheh, saying: “Such as this they shall give.”
Why a coin of fire? A half shekel on its own doesn’t bring about atonement. But when it is offered with fire – soul fire – then the half shekel atones for sin – even when that sin is as serious as the sin of the golden calf. What is needed for atonement and forgiveness is not a routinely performed, outward ritual, involving the giving of things that are taken out of one’s pocket. No, what is needed for atonement is the inward fire of the heart and the soul – the fire of enthusiasm and passion and a true desire to be set right with Yahweh. The amazing thing is that when this fire is present, even the smallest token or the most insignificant gift or offering becomes something that is life-changing. Bringing in half a shekel to the place of assembly may have seemed like a small act of charity but it was not about the coin, even if this commentary about the coin of fire is just a legend, without any Scriptural foundation. It was not about the coin, it was about the mindset and the attitude behind the giving of the coin – and the knowledge that Yahweh was the source of their existence and that He was most deserving of their gifts and, above all, most deserving of their love and their loyalty. When performed with this attitude, even the smallest act can have extraordinary results.
This truth is confirmed by the name of the parashah, “Ki Tisa”. Most translations of the first verse of this parashah have something like this: “When you take (“ki tisa”) the sum of the children of Israel …”. The word “tisa” comes from “nasa” which properly means “to lift up” and the translation of the Ou Afrikaanse Vertaling and Woord en Getuienis is, in a sense, literally more correct: “As jy die volle getal van die kinders van Israel opneem …” The sum of the children of Yisrael was not only to be taken – it was to be taken up or lifted up. In what sense? In the sense that that which was ordinary, that which was human, that which was incomplete – was required to be lifted up to Yahweh’s throne so that it could become extraordinary and complete and perfect. Yahweh has the ability of taking our earthly offerings and our far from perfect gifts and abilities, and then lift them up to a level where they may be of great use in his service. This is confirmed by the following Scriptures:
Gen 22:4 And on the third day Avraham lifted (“nasa”) his eyes and saw the place from a distance. It was this ability of Avraham to lift up his eyes when he only saw the ordinary and the earthly around him, that earned him the reputation of our great forefather of belief – to such a degree that it was written of him (and others like him): “In belief all these died, not having received the promises, but seeing them from a distance, welcomed and embraced them, longing for a better place, and confessing that they were aliens and strangers on the earth … Therefore Elohim is not ashamed to be called their Elohim, for He has prepared a city for them” (Heb 11:13-16)
Ps 24:3-4 Who does go up into the mountain of Yahweh? And who does stand in His set-apart place? He who has innocent hands and a clean heart, who did not lift up (“nasa”) his soul to vanity and did not swear deceivingly. The person who has learned not to lift up his soul to vanity but to lift up his soul to Yahweh above, and to the things that are from above, is in a very good position to go up to the mountain of Yahweh and to stand in his set-apart place – not only some time in future, not only in a spiritual and abstract sense, but from time to time: right here and right now, within the noisiness and the buzz and even the chaos of this world. These are those special times that many of us may have experienced before: when a connection is made with the Almighty and his presence is felt in a tangible and very distinct way – even in the midst of the events and the emotions of everyday life.
Eze 20:5 And you shall say to them, ‘Thus said the Master Yahweh, “On the day when I chose Yisrael and lifted (“nasa”) My hand in an oath to the seed of the house of Yaáqov, and made Myself known to them in the land of Mitsrayim, I lifted My hand in an oath to them, saying, ‘I am Yahweh your Elohim.’ Here we have the reason why it is possible for ordinary men to lift up ordinary gifts and ordinary acts, so that these become acceptable and precious in the eyes of the Almighty: It is only possible because Yahweh had lifted up his hand in an oath (long ago – more than once) confirming that He is Yahweh their Elohim and promising that He would make Himself known to his people – even when they are in a land like Mitsrayim!
Ps 134:1-2 Come, bless Yahweh, all you servants of Yahweh, who are standing in the House of Yahweh by night! Lift up (“nasa”) your hands in the set-apart place, and bless Yahweh. The lifting of our hands when we come together in our places and times of assembly, is symbolically extremely meaningful, and extremely powerful. In a sense, it’s a demonstration of advancing beyond the borders of our human existence. It is a signal that something great, almost impossible is taking place: Ordinary human beings, filled with shortcomings, far from perfect, are being granted the unique privilege of bringing their praises – their words and their songs of admiration – directly and personally to Yahweh, the Almighty. It almost sounds too good to be true, but this is exactly what our Elohim is capable of doing: lifting up that which is human and transforming it into something that is completely extraordinary and unknown to this world. Let us no longer think that we are unworthy of approaching his throne of splendour. Let us no longer hide behind our own shortcomings and lack of confidence and low self esteem. As we lift up our hands to Him, Yahweh is able, not only to receive our blessings, but to bestow his blessings back upon us, enabling us to stand tall in this life!
Heb 10:19-23 So, brothers, having boldness to enter into the Set-apart Place by the blood of Y’shua, by a new and living way which He instituted for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, and having a High Priest over the House of Elohim, let us draw near with a true heart in completeness of belief, having our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies washed with clean water. Let us hold fast the confession of our expectation without yielding, for He who promised is trustworthy.
