The Thirteen Shofar Chests and the Surgeon's Healing Cut

Thirteen shofar-shaped chests were in the Temple, and upon them was written: new shekels, old shekels, bird-nests [for sin-offerings], young birds for burnt-offerings, wood, frankincense, gold for the cover, and six for freewill offerings. "New shekels"—these are the shekels of the whole current year. "Old shekels"—one who did not pay last year pays for the coming year. "Six for freewill offerings": Chizkiyah said, corresponding to the six priestly clans, which the Sages instituted so that there might be peace among them. Rabbi Yochanan said: since the freewill offerings were abundant, they instituted many chests so that the coins would not grow moldy. And Ze'iri said: corresponding to bull and calf, ram and lamb, kid and he-goat. It was taught: these chests were curved, narrow above and wide below, on account of swindlers. Once they sat in the Temple, they began to take pledges from Israel for their shekels, so that the communal sacrifices might be offered from them. They told a parable: To what may the matter be compared? To one who had a wound break out on his foot, and the physician bound him and cut into his foot in order to heal him. So too the Holy One, blessed be He, said: let Israel be pledged for their shekels, so that the communal sacrifices may be offered from them, because the communal sacrifices appease and atone between Israel and their Father in heaven.