Ki Tisa- Humility Equal to Sacrifice

The 11th of Adar is the Yahrtzeit of Rav Avraham Borenstein of Sochatchov: “You shall take the silver of the atonements from the Children of Israel and give it for the work of the Tent of Meeting; and it shall be a remembrance before God for the Children of Israel, to atone for your souls (Exodus 30:16).” Usually atonement comes through the blood of sacrifices. However, here, with the gift of a half Shekel, when a person recognizes his lackings and how much he needs others and to join with the entire congregation, it is equal to the blood of the sacrifice brought by the entire congregation and he can achieve, “to atone for your souls.” (Rav Avraham of Sochatchov quoted by his son in Shem Mishmuel)