This week's parsha begins with the commandment for each male above the age of 20 to donate a half sheqel coin for the purpose of counting the Jewish nation. Rashi points out, that the ayin harah is present when counting individuals which, as we find with David Hamelech when he counted the Jewish nation, brings about pestilence. What really is the issue with counting heads? Another point to ponder is that these coins were used for the construction of the mishkan and during the period of the beis hamikdash were used for the purpose of korbanoth. What seems to be the relationship between the counting of the Jewish people and the building of the mishkan?

There is a fascinating Malbim in parshat Teruma which explains the entire concept of the mishkan/ beis hamikdash. He explains that the beis hamikdash/mishkan can be viewed as the house which contains the neshamos of the entire Jewish people. "The body is the mishkan and its neshama is the Jewish people", says the Malbim. This explains the pasuk "And they shall make me a mikdash and I will reside amongst them" - them referring to the neshama in the mikdash which is the collective neshama of the Jewish nation. Based on this idea we can understand the need for collecting half coins for the counting of the Jewish nation which were specifically used for the building of the mishkan. The only way the structure can possibly stand is if there is a notion that there is complete unity in the actual building - we are part of a collective whole.  The reason a half shekel was collected and not a whole unit expresses the idea that every individual becomes part of that collective "we" which enables the mishkan to exist.

We can expound on this idea based on a profound teaching of Rav Kook zt"l regarding the difference between darkness and light. When in the dark one is unable to distinguish between the many details and parts that might be present. It's as if we all feel the darkness and bind to it. There are no parts, just a sense of oneness. Haven't we all experienced the power of a Monday night chug or shabbat oneg where no physical light was present but where an energetic spiritual light filled the room. It is in this place where we can just be ourselves without the feeling of being judged or judging others. There is nothing to judge when we are all part of the same thing. It would be as if one's left pinky would have issues with its neighboring ring finger. On the other hand, in the presence of light where one is able to distinguish details and parts, it makes it more challenging for us to find the oneness that will bind us together. We get stuck on all the details and forget about the greater whole. It is for this reason we needed the mikdash to serve as the point of unity. As the Malbim teaches us it is in the mikdash that the entire Jewish people are like one neshama clothed in one body.

How do we feel this today when unfortunately the Beis HaMikdash is no longer standing? Although a lot more challenging, I believe the answer lies in the concept of achduth Hashem- the Oneness of Hashem. When we say that Hashem Echad we mean that everything that exists is part of that Oneness. Every person is connected to that Oneness. Our neshamos all come from that same Oneness. In actuality, we really are one. It is the beis hamikdash that enables us to experience this feeling to the highest degree. It is for this that we pray for 3 times a day- "return to Zion".   With this deep awareness, we should all sense a deeper sense of worthiness and rid the world of competitiveness and jealousy. It is no longer about who is better, but rather each individual is unique and different.

Have you ever heard of your left ear telling the right eye I am better than you? How ridiculous.  They both serve different purposes. How do we dare look at another person and think "I am better"?  We are all working towards the same goal and purpose.  I pray that this idea penetrates us all and we learn to look in each others eyes and say "unique and different, not better or worse.