1,221. Withdrawing the Funds for Temple Use

Shekalim 2:6

In Tishrei, the person returned a third time and again filled the three smaller baskets from the three larger baskets, again using the funds until they’re gone. On Rosh Chodesh Nisan, money was withdrawn from the subsequent year’s donations. If the money in the three large baskets was insufficient and didn’t last until Nisan, they would withdraw additional funds from the rest of the money in the chamber.

Shekalim 2:7

The three small baskets into which the money was withdrawn and taken outside were labeled alef, beis and gimmel so that they would take money from the first until it was depleted, then from the second, and finally from the third. The first small basket was filled from the first large basket, which was then covered with a cloth. Next, the second small basket was filled from the second large basket, which was likewise then covered with a cloth. Finally, the third small basket was filled from the third large basket; this basket was not covered with a cloth so that it should be apparent that he has finished with it. When he returned before Shavuos, he would start from this basket, removing funds from the large basket that was uncovered, then covering it. He then withdrew from the large basket that he had started with the previous time, covering it when he finished. He would then withdraw funds from the large basket next to it, not covering this basket so that he would know where to start when he returned again in Tishrei. In this way, he ends up placing funds from each of the large baskets into each of the small baskets.