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When I served as a rabbi in Merrick (Long Island), New York, every year we had a rummage sale. No, it bore little resemblance to “Nearly New”, and reminded me of nothing so much as a garage sale. Most of the merchandise was old, in poor condition, or out of date (Betamax tapes, anyone?)
Nevertheless, sprinkled in among the merchandise were always a few stunningly beautiful items. And no shopper was more astute at finding them than Phyllis, often with a bit of an assist from the volunteers. Among the finds were a few items for me, like a mini-collection of Hermes ties donated by a successful plastic surgeon in the community. (Yes, I still have them, and yes, I’m certain they are authentic). I always wondered whether we should even accept these items, given that they were so much more valuable than the others?
In this week’s maftir reading, designated for portion Shekalim, we learn about the donation of the half-shekel to the Tabernacle, and later Temple in Jerusalem, given by each adult male member of the community. This poll tax helped in particular to provide a fund for upkeep and repair, the equivalent of our present-day synagogue building fund. But in addition to this poll tax, other voluntary contributions also reached the Temple’s coffers, and these gifts were presented not only by men but also by women.
This led our Sages to ask: what types of gifts did the women present? Did they donate cash, or perhaps salable goods? Were there limits on the gifts which were permitted, or not? Could items be accepted which were far greater in value than the mere half-shekel mandatory offering?
The following Talmudic discussion (Babylonian Talmud, Baba Kamma 119a), attempts to answer this question:
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Charity collectors may take something worth a small amount from women, but not something worth a large amount. When Ravina arrived at Bei Meḥoza, the women of Bei Meḥoza (a city in modern day Iran) came and tossed chains and bracelets before him so that he could distribute the jewelry as charity, and he accepted it from them. Rabba Tosfa’a said to Ravina: But isn’t it taught: Charity collectors may accept something worth a small amount from women, but not something worth a large amount? How can you accept jewelry, which is worth a significant sum? Ravina said to him: For the residents of Meḥoza, these chains and bracelets are considered something small.
In other words, it’s fine to accept more upscale items, as long as the donor can reasonably afford to part with them. Which makes me feel better whenever I wear one of those ties to shul.
- Rabbi Scott Hoffman
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