Machatzit Hashekel
Question
In previous years, someone fulfilled Machatzit Hashekel using three silver half-dollars. Now that the price of silver has tripled and is trading at about $90–100 an ounce, this makes the mitzvah three times more expensive than in past years.
Should he still perform the mitzvah in the same way and pay the higher price? Is he obligated to continue being machmir? If this year he switches to using regular (non-silver) half-dollars instead, does he need to do hatarat nedarim?
Should he still perform the mitzvah in the same way and pay the higher price? Is he obligated to continue being machmir? If this year he switches to using regular (non-silver) half-dollars instead, does he need to do hatarat nedarim?
Answer
Shalom!
Thank you for your question.
You may change your Minhag and give this year three half coins and there is no need to do Hatarat Nedarim, since you already did so before Rosh Hashanah.
If you want, you can add the extra amount from Ma'aser money.
You can also hear the going rate of silver, on the Beis Hora'ah hot line on 0733260800 line #84.
Wishing you a Chag Purim Sameach.
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