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If everything already belongs to Hashem (ה׳), how did bringing korbanos with our Shekalim change our status so we couldn't be sold to Haman? A korban creates transcendent dveikus by acknowledging Hashem's ownership of everything, including ourselves. This direct connection to Hashem places us outside the normal hierarchy where earthly kings could claim ownership over us.
This shiur begins with the Midrash explaining why we read Parshas Shekalim before Purim (פורים) - because Hashem (ה׳) arranged for our Shekalim to precede Haman's offer of money to Achashverosh to destroy the Jewish people. The Midrash states that through the korbanos purchased with our Shekalim, we belonged to Hashem and therefore were not Achashverosh's to sell. Rabbi Yeshaya Greenberg ZT"L explores the fundamental question: if everything belongs to Hashem anyway, how did the korbanos change our status? The answer lies in understanding what a korban truly represents. Unlike the English word "sacrifice" which implies loss, the Hebrew "korban" means "to bring close." A korban is not giving something to Hashem, but rather recognizing that it already belongs to Him and returning it to its source. When someone brings a korban with proper understanding, they declare that everything - including themselves - belongs to Hashem.
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Parshas Shekalim
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