The people of Israel have always longed for the Beis Hamikdash, and would give a coin of half a shekel for it. Each and every one of the Yidden gave half a shekel – no more and no less. The history of the Half Shekel stretches more than 4000 years, with the first Half Shekel being given during the period of the Mishkan in the desert. And so throughout the years of Jewish history, every year they gave half a shekel which provided funding for the public Korbonos – every Jew had a share in it. To this day, we continue to give a half a shekel, when each person gives “half a shekel” for each member of his family on the eve of Purim in special coins. And with HaShem’s help in the coming of the Messiah we will continue to give half a shekel for the Korbonos in the third temple soon in our day.