1,223. The One Who Withdrew the Funds

Shekalim 2:10

When the person entered the chamber to withdraw funds, he was not permitted to wear a garment in which one could hide money, shoes, sandals, tefillin or an amulet. This was out of concern that people might suspect him of hiding some money in his clothes when he withdrew the funds. They would engage him in conversation from the time he entered the chamber until he left it to preclude the possibility of him putting money in his mouth. Despite all of these precautions, a needy person or one with a desire for money was not assigned this task. All this was done to avoid suspicion, as per Numbers 32:22, “You shall be blameless before God and Israel.”

Shekalim 3:1

Everyone needed half-shekel coins so that each person could donate the necessary half-shekel. Therefore, when going to a money-changer to change a shekel for two half-shekels, he would pay the money changer an extra fee in addition to the shekel. [The run on half-shekels made them slightly more valuable than two to the shekel.] This extra fee is called a kolbon. Therefore, when two people jointly donate a whole shekel to fulfill their obligation, they must also donate a kolbon.