Shekalim: The Weight of Trust
The haftarah for Parshat Shekalim (Melachim II 12:1-17) recounts the restoration of the Beit HaMikdash during the reign of King Yehoash. Funds were raised through a collection system, and the money was placed into the hands of the Temple officials responsible for its distribution. Strikingly, the text emphasizes that no accounting was required from these officials, "for they acted be’emunah"—with trustworthiness (Melachim II 12:16). The Talmud (Bava Batra 9a) cites this verse as the basis for a halachic principle: אֵין מְחַשְּׁבִין בִּצְדָקָה עִם גַּבָּאֵי צְדָקָה, וְלֹא בְּהֶקְדֵּשׁ עִם הַגִּזְבָּרִין, we do not demand an accounting from trusted charity collectors.
At first glance, this principle seems counterintuitive. Transparency in financial dealings is a cornerstone of ethical governance, and the Torah sets a high standard for public trust. Moshe Rabbeinu himself rendered a full financial report to Bnei Yisrael after constructing the Mishkan (Shemot 38:21), despite Hashem’s personal testimony that בְּכׇל־בֵּיתִ֖י נֶאֱמָ֥ן הֽוּא, he is trusted in My entire house (Bamidbar 12:7). Why, then, does the haftarah emphasize that no accounting was needed?
Rav Hirsch offers a profound insight into the nature of emunah. We often translate emunah as "faith," but in Tanach, it conveys reliability, steadfastness, and trustworthiness. The Temple officials were not merely honest; they functioned within a system of mutual faith. Society had confidence in their integrity, and this trust was, in itself, a foundational value. The same idea appears in Divrei HaYamim, where those entrusted as shomrim—gatekeepers of the Mikdash—were appointed be’emunatam, in their faithfulness. (I Chronicles 9:22). The role was hereditary, an enduring emunah, a “family business” of trust passed down through generations.
Yet, as Rav Elazar states in the Talmud (Bava Batra 9a), even when one has a trustworthy treasurer, one should still count and verify: אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ גִּזְבָּר נֶאֱמָן בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ, יָצוּר וְיִמְנֶה, even with a faithful steward, one should still oversee the accounts. Trust is vital, but responsible governance demands accountability.
This dual perspective offers a lesson in leadership and integrity. The highest standard of emunah is not merely being trustworthy but being worthy of trust, cultivating an atmosphere where one's reliability is unquestioned. However, no leader is beyond scrutiny, and even the most righteous must operate with transparency. Trust is a sacred responsibility, not an exemption from oversight.
As we enter the month of Adar and prepare for the mitzvah of the giving of the half-shekel as a remembrance - where every Jew, from the most prominent leader to the simplest individual, contributes equally—we are reminded of the balance between faith and accountability. A community built on emunah does not function on blind trust alone but on the steady, unwavering commitment of those who serve with integrity and the careful stewardship of the sacred resources placed in their hands.
May we strive to be people of emunah—trustworthy in our actions, faithful to our responsibilities, and ever mindful that the trust placed in us is a privilege that must be upheld with diligence and care.