יחזקאל, פרק מ״ה, פסוק י״ב

A stable and trustworthy society requires a reliable economic system. To prevent fraud and deceit in the marketplace, precise standards for weights and coins are established. The foundational unit of this system is the shekel, a standard of weight [מצודת ציון] of approximately ten grams [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The shekel is fixed at twenty gerahs, a smaller unit also known as a seed [רש"י, מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Keeping this specific measurement preserves the original economic standards established in the Torah.

The major innovation in this system involves the maneh, a large unit used for heavy weights and counting [רש"י, מצודת ציון]. Historically, a standard secular maneh held a value of one hundred zuzim, while a holy maneh was double that amount, standing at two hundred zuzim. A new standard is introduced by adding a sixth to the holy maneh, bringing its total value to two hundred and forty zuzim, which equals exactly sixty shekels [רש"י, רד"ק, אברבנאל, מצודת דוד, מלבי"ם]. Setting the maneh at exactly sixty shekels directly aligns with a new national rule requiring the people to contribute a portion of their wealth to their leader at a ratio of one to sixty. Under this system, a person holding exactly one maneh can easily separate exactly one shekel for this contribution [מלבי"ם].

Rather than simply stating the new total of sixty shekels, the amount is broken down into specific groups of twenty, twenty-five, and fifteen. The primary approach among commentators is that these numbers reflect the physical stone weights commonly used by merchants at the time. By gathering these specific stones together, a person reaches the exact weight of the new maneh [מצודת דוד, רד"ק, אברבנאל, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This establishes standard, clear weights representing fractions like a third or a quarter of a maneh [רש"י]. Another perspective suggests this breakdown is designed to build a highly flexible monetary system. In this view, the fifteen is actually divided further into separate weights of ten and five. By detailing these different coins, the system ensures that citizens possess a wide variety of currency, allowing them to easily make change, build precise amounts, and conduct smooth, efficient daily trade [מלבי"ם].