By accepting the Torah, the Jews themselves became a Kingdom of Priests and a Holy Nation (Shemos 19:6). However, Chazal tell us (Shabbat 88a) that their acceptance of the Torah was under duress.

It is parashat Terumah time, Rosh Chodesh Adar is this Shabbat, which is also Shabbat parashat Shekalim (the Half Shekel offering). In parashat Terumah, beginning in Exodus, chapter 25 ...

At times we structure public collections at a flat rate, like the giving of the half-shekel, whose funds were directed towards the Terumat HaLishka, responsible for Temple daily maintenance and ...