Giving gifts and money spurs feelings of community and unity among Jews. It’s also a special “mitzvah” — good deed– on Purim.

 H.I.M. Haile Selassie I Majesty King of Kings of the Black Jews performing the Hebrew Mitzvah of “Tzedekah” or Charity

There is a beautiful custom before reading the Hebrew Scrolls in the synagogue; to contribute three half-dollar coins (or their equivalent) to charity. This symbolizes the silver half-shekel which every Jew used to give as dues to the Temple in Jerusalem. The tradition hearkens back to the time, during Israel’s journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, when it was mandatory for all the Son’s of Israel to give a silver half-shekel, as a contribution, for the service of the Holy Tabernacle.

But why does the Torah specify a half-shekel instead of a whole? The answer is that by giving only a half, each Jew realizes that he’ll…