Parshas Ki Sisa

Why does a direct counting of Bnei Yisrael cause a plague? Why is the shekel called holy?

The connection between the machatzit hashekel and the kiyor.

What does it mean "לעשות את השבת" - to make the Shabbos?

Rabbeinu Bachaye explains that they weren't trying to make a typical idol. What then was the people's goal and what was Aharon's goal?