It is written in The Zohar (Pekudei): “To give half a Shekel… stones to weigh with, this is Yod, Vav between the two Heys… the rich shall not give more and the poor shall not give less,” etc.
We should discern that the manner of the work is to walk in the middle pillar. The “rich” is one who is happy with his lot. Whatever understanding he has in the Mitzva [commandment] is enough for him. For example, when he cloaks in Tzitzit [prayer shawl] and says the blessing for the Tzitzit, it suffices him and he is completely satisfied with observing the Mitzva, as though he kept it in all of its details and precisions.
He must say that he has no need for any addition or intention, but he suffices for the practice itself in order to feel in this that he is observing the Mitzvot [commandments] of the King. He will say, “There are several people in the world who were not given a desire and yearning to observe and do the Mitzva, while he was given a desire and thought.
For this reason, he is happy with his lot, that he has the ability to observe the commandments of the Creator. This is called “because he desires mercy,” and he has no need for an intention in the Mitzva. At that time, he is called “rich.”
This is called “the first Hey,” which is the quality of Bina, which is “desiring mercy.” Thus, he becomes a Merkava [structure/chariot] for the Sefira of Bina.
“Poor” means that he is poor in knowledge, that he has no intention in the Mitzva or knowledge or understanding about the connection between man and the Mitzvot. Also, it is a lot of work to feel that the intention we must aim is that it will be in order to bestow. He sees that he has already observed the Mitzvot many times, and the Mitzvot were given in order to cleanse people, but he has not moved a bit from the time he began to engage in Mitzvot.
At that time, he does not feel any ascent in degree. On the contrary, each time, he sees how far he is from the real intention.
It is written about it, “The rich will not give more than half,” meaning that he will not have more than half the sensation of wholeness of one who is content with his lot, but only half and not more. In the other half in the order of the work, he should be as one who is poor and see his feeling from the perspective of his intention. At that time, he diminishes himself, meaning that there is absolutely no taste or feeling in his work.
However, he does not diminish himself more than half. He should leave the other half to work in the quality of “rich,” meaning as one who is happy with his lot, and whatever portion of the work he has, even if it is in a manner of Katnut [smallness/infancy], he will still feel wholeness. This is called “the middle pillar.” He must not deviate one way or the other; rather, he must always weigh so they are equal. At that time, we can achieve wholeness.