Meshulach

thumb|Rabbi Yosef Schwartz A meshulach (; plural: meshulachim), also known as a shaliach () or SHaDaR (, acronym for ), was an emissary sent to the Diaspora to raise funds (ḥalukka) for the existence of the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel. The institution of the Emissaries of the Land of Israel, which began in ancient times, developed and contributed greatly to the connection between Diaspora Judaism and the Jews in the Land of Israel, and to the cultural life of the Jewish communities.

==History and development== ===Ancient and Medieval Periods=== The practice of sending emissaries to collect funds dates back to the time of the Patriarchate following the destruction of the Second Temple. Historically, the Diaspora would send the half-shekel Temple tax to Jerusalem to fund Temple sacrifices and communal needs, but after the destruction, the Romans attempted to convert this into a direct state tax (fiscus Judaicus). Nevertheless, the tradition of sending financial support to the Land of Israel continued, establishing a precedent for the formal role of the emissary.