The reason for the mitzvah to give half a Shekel is offered by Rabbi Shlomo Alkabetz (Manot Levi), cited by the Alshich, as follows: It was intended to teach the Children of Israel the importance of unity , that no one should ever think that he ought to be separate from his fellow man. Rather, he should view himself as being merely half a person, and only after joining all other Jews does he become complete. Therefore, everyone gives half a Shekel. The commentaries wrote, concerning a Haman’s statement to King Achashveirosh that, “There is a certain people scattered and dispersed among the peoples (Esther 3:8),” that the Jews are a people divided and therefore easily conquered. Therefore through Mordecai, did Esther cry out, “Go, gather together all the Jews (4:16), meaning, in order to repair the devices in this gather them together, in unity. That is why the Torah commanded that everyone gave half a Shekel each year as “ransom for the soul (Exodus 30:12).” For this sin ...