The Thirteen Chests for Offerings

Introduction

The Temple in ancient Jerusalem was the center of Jewish religious life and served as a place of worship, sacrifice, and communal gathering. It was also a hub for charitable giving, and one of the most prominent features of the Temple were the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. These chests were used to collect offerings from worshippers and were designated for specific purposes. 

The Mishneh Torah, Sheqel Dues 2, provides a description of the shape and physical characteristics of the thirteen donation boxes in the ancient Jewish Temple. According to the text, the boxes were rectangular in shape, with narrow tops that widened towards the bottom. They were made of wood, covered in gold, and had a small hole on top for donations to be placed inside.

Here is a quote from Sheqel Dues 2:2 that describes the shape of the donation boxes: "The chest in which the half-shekel was deposited was made of wood, covered with gold, with a narrow opening at the top and a broad base. It was called 'the chest of the House of Abtinas.' The other thirteen chests were similar to it."

So, according to the Mishneh Torah, all thirteen donation boxes in the Temple were rectangular in shape, with a narrow opening at the top and a broad base, and were made of wood covered in gold. The Mishnah describes the donation chests as being made of either marble or wood, with each chest designated for a specific type of donation. The chest for the half-shekel donations of men was made of wood and located at the entrance to the Court of the Women, while the other twelve chests were made of marble and located in other areas of the Temple courtyard.

The Thirteen Donation Chests

The thirteen donation chests, also known as "shofarot" or "trumpets" due to their trumpet-shaped openings, were located in the Court of the Women, the outermost court of the Temple complex that was accessible to both men and women. Each chest was labeled with its designated purpose, and worshippers were encouraged to donate according to their means and their intentions. The Mishnah, a collection of Jewish oral tradition and commentary compiled in the third century CE, provides detailed descriptions of each chest and its purpose.

1. The Shekalim Chest

The first chest was labeled "shekalim" and was used to collect the half-shekel tax that was required of all Jewish men over the age of twenty. The Mishnah explains that the chest was opened twice a year, on the first of Adar and on the fifteenth of Nissan, to collect the tax. The money collected from this chest was used for the maintenance of the Temple and for the purchase of sacrifices.

The half-shekel tax was first mentioned in the book of Exodus, where it was designated as a way to fund the service of the Tabernacle. The tax was later extended to the Temple in Jerusalem, and it became a way for all Jewish men to participate in the upkeep of the Temple. The Mishnah notes that the half-shekel tax was collected in this chest because it was the most common type of donation, and it ensured that everyone who was required to pay the tax did so.

2. The Bird Offerings Chest

The second chest was labeled "bird offerings" and was used to collect donations for the purchase of birds for sacrifice. The Mishnah notes that this chest was opened every day, and that any surplus funds were used to purchase other offerings.

The practice of offering birds as a sacrifice dates back to the time of the Tabernacle, where birds were used as a way to atone for certain sins. The Mishnah notes that this chest was opened every day because the purchase of birds was a daily occurrence in the Temple. The surplus funds from this chest were used to purchase other types of offerings, which suggests that the demand for bird offerings was high.

3. The New Funds Chest

The third chest was labeled "new funds" and was used to collect donations for the purchase of the daily burnt offering. The Mishnah explains that this chest was opened every day, and that any surplus funds were used to purchase other offerings.

The daily burnt offering was a central feature of the Temple service, and it required a constant supply of animals and other materials. The Mishnah notes that this chest was opened every day because the purchase of animals for sacrifice was a daily occurrence in the Temple. The surplus funds from this chest were used to purchase other types of offerings, which suggests that the demand for burnt offerings was high.

4. The Wood Chest

The Wood Chest, also known as the Etzim Chest, was the fourth of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase of wood to be used for the altar in the Temple. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

According to the Mishnah, the wood used for the altar had to meet certain requirements. It had to be of a specific type, known as "shittim," and could not be used if it had been dedicated for any other purpose. The wood was used for the daily burnt offerings, as well as for other offerings and sacrifices that required a fire on the altar.

The Wood Chest was significant in that it ensured that there was a constant supply of wood for the altar, which was essential for the daily burnt offerings and other sacrifices. The fact that the chest was opened every day indicates the importance of this donation in the daily functioning of the Temple.

5. The Temple Vessels Chest

The Temple Vessels Chest, also known as the Kelim Chest, was the fifth of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase and maintenance of the various vessels and utensils used in the Temple service. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

The vessels and utensils used in the Temple service were numerous and varied, and included items such as lamps, dishes, and incense shovels. These items had to be made of specific materials and had to be kept in a state of purity. The Temple Vessels Chest was significant in that it ensured that these items were always in good condition and that new ones could be purchased when necessary.

The Mishnah notes that the Temple Vessels Chest was one of the most important donation chests, and that it was given priority over the other chests when funds were scarce. This indicates the importance of the vessels and utensils in the Temple service, and the need for them to be in good condition at all times.

6. The Oil Chest

The Oil Chest, also known as the Shemen Chest, was the sixth of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase of oil to be used in the Temple service. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

Oil was an essential component of the Temple service, and was used for a variety of purposes, such as lighting the lamps and anointing the priests and the vessels. The Mishnah notes that the oil used in the Temple had to be of a specific type, known as "shemen zayit," and had to be obtained from the first pressing of the olives.

The Oil Chest was significant in that it ensured that there was a constant supply of oil for the Temple service, which was essential for the lighting of the lamps and the anointing of the priests and the vessels. The fact that the chest was opened every day indicates the importance of this donation in the daily functioning of the Temple.

7. The Gold Chest

The Gold Chest, also known as the Zahav Chest, was the seventh of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase of gold for the adornment of the Temple. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

Gold was used in the Temple for a variety of purposes, such as the overlaying of the altar, the making of the vessels, and the adornment of the priests' garments. The Mishnah notes that the gold used in the Temple had to be of a specific type, known as "zahav mitzrayim," and had to be obtained from Egypt.

The Gold Chest was significant in that it ensured that there was a constant supply of gold for the adornment of the Temple, which was essential for the beauty and majesty of the Temple. The fact that the chest was opened every day indicates the importance of this donation in the daily functioning of the Temple.

8. The Silver Chest

The Silver Chest, also known as the Kesef Chest, was the eighth of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase of silver for the Temple service. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

Silver was used in the Temple for a variety of purposes, such as the making of the vessels, the payment of the half-shekel tax, and the redemption of the firstborn. The Mishnah notes that the silver used in the Temple had to be of a specific type, known as "kesef amoni," and had to be obtained from the region of Amon.

The Silver Chest was significant in that it ensured that there was a constant supply of silver for the Temple service, which was essential for the functioning of the Temple and the fulfillment of various religious obligations. The fact that the chest was opened every day indicates the importance of this donation in the daily functioning of the Temple.

9. The Copper Chest

The Copper Chest, also known as the Nehushtan Chest, was the ninth of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase of copper for the Temple service. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

Copper was used in the Temple for a variety of purposes, such as the making of the vessels, the covering of the altar, and the making of the lavers. The Mishnah notes that the copper used in the Temple had to be of a specific type, known as "nehushtan," and had to be obtained from Cyprus.

The Copper Chest was significant in that it ensured that there was a constant supply of copper for the Temple service, which was essential for the functioning of the Temple and the fulfillment of various religious obligations. The fact that the chest was opened every day indicates the importance of this donation in the daily functioning of the Temple.

10. The Chest for Wood

The Chest for Wood, also known as the Etzim Chest, was the tenth of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase of wood for the Temple service. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

Wood was used in the Temple for a variety of purposes, such as the fuel for the altar fire, the construction of the ramp for the altar, and the making of the vessels. The Mishnah notes that the wood used in the Temple had to be of a specific type, known as "shittim," and had to be obtained from the region of Shittim.

The Chest for Wood was significant in that it ensured that there was a constant supply of wood for the Temple service, which was essential for the functioning of the Temple and the fulfillment of various religious obligations. The fact that the chest was opened every day indicates the importance of this donation in the daily functioning of the Temple.

11. The Chest for Incense

The Chest for Incense, also known as the Qetoret Chest, was the eleventh of the thirteen donation chests located in the Court of the Women. Its purpose was to collect funds for the purchase of incense for the Temple service. The Mishnah notes that the chest was opened every day, and any surplus funds were used for other needs of the Temple.

Incense was used in the Temple for a variety of purposes, such as the daily offering, the incense offering, and the Yom Kippur service. The Mishnah notes that the incense used in the Temple had to be of a specific type, known as the "qetoret," and had to be made from eleven spices.

The Chest for Incense was significant in that it ensured that there was a constant supply of incense for the Temple service, which was essential for the functioning of the Temple and the fulfillment of various religious obligations. The fact that the chest was opened every day indicates the importance of this donation in the daily functioning of the Temple.

12. The Chest for half-shekel donations

According to Mishnah Shekalim 6:5, Chest 12 was used to collect half-shekel donations from men over the age of twenty. The half-shekel was a required donation for every adult male Israelite, and it was used to fund the Temple's daily sacrifices. The Mishnah notes that Chest 12 was located on the right side of the entrance to the Court of the Women, making it easily accessible to the public.

13. The Chest for voluntary donations

On the other hand, Chest 13 was used to collect voluntary donations from both men and women. According to Mishnah Shekalim 6:6, this chest was located on the left side of the entrance to the Court of the Women, opposite Chest 12. The Mishnah notes that Chest 13 was divided into two sections, one for silver and one for gold donations. The gold donations were given by the wealthy, while the silver donations were given by the poor. These donations were used to fund the Temple's construction and other projects.

The donation chests were maintained by appointed officials who were responsible for their security and maintenance. According to Mishnah Shekalim 5:1-2, the officials had to ensure that the chests were not damaged and that the funds were collected and deposited in the Temple's treasury daily. The Mishnah also notes that the officials were required to be honest and trustworthy individuals who were above suspicion of embezzlement.