Shekel, Shabbos And Mikdash

Why does the Torah tell us the issur of Shabbos specifically regarding the prohibition to light a fire?  Rashi says that we are told about Shabbos here to tell us that the building of the mishkan doesn’t override it.  If Shabbos if just a detail in the mishkan it would seem more apropos to put the commandment of the mishkan first, why does it put Shabbos first?  Shabbos is the day of unity between Klal Yisroel and Hashem.  We abstain from our normal labor and focus on spiritual pursuits.  This unity with Hashem is dependent upon the unity of Klal Yisroel together, hence vayakhel Moshe.  The Berashis Raabah says 14:9 each one of the days is paired with another bur Shabbos is the odd man out.  So, Hashem said that its pair is Klal Yisroel.  In order for there to be Shabbos, there must be a body of Klal Yisroel, there is a need for ויקהל את כל עדת בני ישראל.  We are all united via our neshamos, division and differences come about because of our separate bodies (Tanya Ch.32.)  It is the pursuit of gashmious that destroys the unity of Klal Yisroel.  Therefore, the Torah warns you shouldn’t have a fire, a bren בכל מושבותיכם, in all of your worldly pursuits.  It is the hakdama of Shabbos, the רזא דאחד, the unity between Hashem and Klal Yisroel that is necessary for the building of the mishkan (based upon Toras Menachem 5749.)

The Shla says כי תשא את ראש is a hint to Shabbos for when you raise the letters of ראש  to the letters following it equals שבת.  The Emrei Noam (Vayakhal) says שבתון קודש לה' stands for shekel.  What is this connection between Shabbos and shekel? See Emrei Noam for his approach.  What is the connection between the two parshios of the week, Vayakhal and Shekalim? 

As we already discussed earlier this week, shekalim hint to the achdus of Klal Yisroel, everyone is equal and they combine toward the korbanot tzibbur, to become one unit.  It effects the unity of Klal Yisroel together and their unity with Hashem.  Why do we give a half-shekel and not a full shekel?  It is a hint that one must be completed by someone else and by Hashem.  We combine to participate in the service of God via the korbanot.  It is this unity that is the meeting ground between Shabbos and the shekel.