As the times of Moshiach and the building of the Beis Hamikdash are closer each day, we must each do our part in being prepared...
This project was inspired by the teachings of Rabbi Keller, who emphasizes that preparation for the final redemption is not merely a spiritual endeavor, but a practical one. Just as our ancestors contributed the Machatzis Hashekel for the construction and maintenance of the Tabernacle and later the Holy Temple, we too can take a tangible step to connect with this eternal Mitzvah.
By acquiring a genuine silver Machatzis Hashekel coin, you are not just buying a piece of silver. You are acquiring a tool, a ready-to-use vessel to fulfill a biblical commandment at the earliest possible moment. You are making a statement that you are ready and waiting for the day when the service in the Beis Hamikdash is restored.
The first book written by Rabbi Yosef Keller, published in 5748 (1988), is a comprehensive work explaining the calculations the Sanhedrin — the Rabbinical Court — used to determine the earliest night the new moon would be visible. This allowed them to anticipate when witnesses would come forward to testify that they had seen the new moon, as described in the Rambam’s laws of Kiddush HaChodesh (Sanctification of the New Moon).
Three years later, during the summer of 5751 (1991), Rabbi Yosef Keller's second book (Maimonides Laws of the Beis Hamikdash, according to Manuscripts, with commentary), was published.
When he presented this book to the Rebbe (and Rabbi Groner mentioned to the Rebbe that this is Rabbi Keller (son of Reb Yehuda Keller), author of the new book on the Beis Hamikdosh), The Rebbe gave him a dollar to give to charity, and told him:
The Rebbe:
הצלחה רבה
Translation:
Great success;
The Rebbe (giving an additional dollar):
און דאס איז פאר דעם ספר, דארף מען צאלן. זאל זיין בשורות טובות
Translation:
And this is for the book, one needs to pay. It should be Good tidings.
The Rebbe (continuing):
אין גיכען וועט מען דארפן טראכטן דינים פון קידוש החודש על פי הראיה. דאס קען מען איצטער ניט טאן, מען דארף האבן א בית דין סמוך.
Translation:
Very soon we will need to deal with the laws of sanctifying the month based on the sighting of the new moon. This cannot be done now, [because] it requires a Rabbinical court whose ordination goes back to Moshe Rabbeinu.
The Rebbe (to Rabbi Yehuda Keller):
זאל ער זעהן זיך צוגרייטן, זאל ער קענען פסק׳נען גלייך די שאלות.
Translation:
He (Rabbi Yossi Keller) should prepare himself, so he should be able to rule immediately on the questions <that will come up>.
Join us in this proactive step towards our collective future. Let's be prepared, together.