Israel's Shekels That Forestalled the Shekels of Haman

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 386:11

On the first of Adar they make announcement concerning the shekels, for the verse says, "This is the burnt-offering of each month in its month" (Numbers 28:14). The Torah said: renew it and bring Me an offering from a new contribution. And since in Nisan we require the offering to be brought from a new contribution, we anticipate and make the announcement on the first of Adar, so that the shekels may come to the Temple in time. Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: It was revealed and known before the Holy One, blessed be He, that the wicked Haman was destined to weigh out shekels against Israel; therefore He set their shekels before his shekels.

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