The Sephardic Chief Rabbi, Rishon LeZion Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef, has announced a significant jump in the amount to be paid for Zecher LeMachatzit HaShekel for the year 2026. The amount has been set at 86 NIS per person, a dramatic increase attributed to a rare surge in global silver prices.
In his halakhic ruling, the Chief Rabbi explained that the amount is based on the value of nine grams of pure silver. Because silver prices on international markets have tripled since last year, the cost has risen accordingly. The Rabbi noted that the 86 NIS figure includes VAT and accounts for the actual cost of purchasing silver from dealers, rather than just the raw trading price on the stock exchange.
The ruling specifies the following guidelines:
- The custom is for every man aged 20 and over to give the amount.
- It is considered a commendable stringency to give for any male who has reached Bar Mitzvah age.
- For those facing financial hardship, the Rabbi ruled they should give the full 86 NIS for themselves and a symbolic half-shekel for each of their other family members.
In a specific reaction to current events, Rabbi Yitzhak Yosef addressed the cancellation of government budgets for religious institutions. He instructed that this year, the half-shekel funds should be given specifically to Bnei Torah and Kollel students to help offset the loss of government funding.
