On the eve of Purim 5784 (2024), by the instruction of the community's Rabbis, this year we are all transferring the Zecher L'Machatzis HaShekel (remembrance of the half-shekel) funds for the maintenance of our Beis Medrash (study hall) and the other chessed (charity) activities of our community. The Gaon and Tzaddik Rabbi Eliezer Berland shlit"a wrote a very rare letter last night in which he notes that he himself fulfilled the 'Zecher L'Machatzis HaShekel' for the maintenance of the Beis Medrash – Shuvu Banim. Before you is the full letter:

With the help of Heaven, for His Name's sake. Eve of Purim 5784

Regarding the Mitzvah of "Machatzis HaShekel" with Hiddur

The Rav blesses and prays for everyone who merits to give "Machatzis HaShekel" (the Half-Shekel) for the maintenance of the Beis Medrash (study hall) and the prayer hall, for this is the greatest tzedakah (charity) and the greatest hiddur (excellence) in the Holy City in the World of Yetzirah (the spiritual world of formation), in the place that is holy to Anash (our community) and to all the holy and pure People of Israel.

I too merited to give "Machatzis HaShekel" to the fund of the aforementioned Beis Medrash, and with the help of Hashem Yisbarach (the Blessed Hashem), all those who merit will be blessed with righteous sons who fear Hashem, and with righteous, modest, and wise daughters, parnassah (livelihood) in abundance and with ease, and they shall merit to greet Mashiach, and to see the building of our Holy Temple of fire, in the blink of an eye, Amen, Netzach Sela Va'ed (forever and ever).

And in this year, "Machatzis HaShekel" is the numerical value of a new Lev (heart) [=32].

With the blessing of the Torah, your faithful servant

Eliezer Berland

Who does not want to merit to do the will of the Tzaddik and fulfill the mitzvah of Machatzis HaShekel with hiddur (excellence). Click now here and transfer the Machatzis HaShekel funds via a secure donation: