Weekly Parsha Message - Ki Tisa - 3.5.2010

So this week has the infamous story of the golden calf. After two weeks of description of structure and appearance for community and leadership the torah reminds us that we as leaders have to act and be a part of that leadership. We learn this week that our actions are an integral part of being Jewish. That without those actions the covenant cannot happen. So as the story goes Moses is late, the people revolt and Aaron helps build the golden calf. What is interesting here is that HaShem does not lose faith with Aaron or the Israelites.

We should remember this episode that there is a cost of not playing our part of covenant we are also given the opportunity to recover from those mistakes. It is not an accident that the laws for repentance follow the golden calf in the story. We must use this story to remember what we can impact positively, to know that we will make mistakes and that when we do we must know that it is expected and if we use the process established by HaShem to repent there is a structure for forgiveness. It is the balance of obligation, justice and forgiveness that gives our faith much of its complexity, comprehensiveness and compassion.

And this parsha starts off with a story that reminds us of the impact we can have if we are focused on the results we can achieve instead of our shortcomings. There is a census of the Jewish people. But it is not a direct count of heads it is a count of an offering brought by everyone. In fact it is considered a sin to a direct count of the Jewish people. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks (the Chief Rabbi of London) offers an wonderful reason for this. The Jewish people’s strength comes not from their numbers … but from their contributions.

This week we are reminded of our potential for failure and mistakes. It is part of the human condition and the covenant does not exempt us. But we are given a code and system that allows us to recover and we are reminded that we as a people are to be counted in this world not just as people but as our giving, our impact on civilization and tikun olam. We may not have the numbers to “rule the world” but through our impact and covenant we have the ability and obligation to change it and make it better. Our impact has been large and can continue to change the world and that is how we should be counted and we should count ourselves.

Shabbat Shalom

Parshas Ki Tisa


1st Aliya: This first Aliya concludes the details of the Mishkan's construction. The Bnai Yisroel are commanded to give the half Shekel toward a national census and the purchasing of the public offerings. The copper washstand, the Kiyor, is described along with the ingredients and laws of the anointing oil and the Ketores - the incense. Betzallel, the grandson of Chur and great-grandson of Miriam, is identified as the chief artisan and architect of the Mishkan. (Note: he was only 13 yr. old!) The Mitzvah of Shabbos is commanded. Its juxtaposition to the details of the Mishkan provides the Gemara with the source for determining the 39 categories of Melacha prohibited on Shabbos.

2nd Aliya: The story of the Golden Calf is told. Moshe ascended Sinai on the morning of Sivan 7, and remained 40 days and nights. The 7th didn't start with a night, so it wasn't included in the total of 40. The Jews mistakenly assumed that it was to be included and expected Moshe back on the morning of Tamuz 16. Instead, he returned the morning of Tamuz 17. By midday of the 16th, the Jews were already desperate. Chur attempts to reason with them and is killed. They approach Aharon who attempts to redirect their terror which results in the Golden Calf. Moshe appears the next morning, breaks the Luchos, marshals the tribe of Levi, and 3000 people are killed. Moshe demands Hashem's forgiveness for the people, but moves the Ohel Moed out from the midst of the camp. Yehoshua is proclaimed the main student of Moshe.

3rd & 4th Aliyot: Moshe requests to understand Hashem's system of justice. He is granted a greater understanding of Hashem than any other person in history, but is denied the ability to comprehend divine justice.

5th Aliya: Moshe is instructed to cut two new Luchos and ascend Sinai. Moshe is taught the secret formula for Teshuva (the Thirteen Names of G-d as He Manifests His Mercy) (34:6) and G-d forgives the Bnai Yisroel.

6th Aliya: Hashem establishes a new covenant with the people. He forewarns them against the influences of assimilation and intermarriage and forbids them to make any treaties with the inhabitants of Canaan. The holidays of Pesach, Shevout, and Succos are reviewed, as well as Shabbos and the basic law of Kashrus.

7th Aliya: Moshe remains on Sinai another 40 days and nights and returns on Yom Kippur carrying the second Luchos. The people see that the very being of Moshe had been transformed and that his face radiated with a inner light. Moshe fashions for himself a veil that he would wear at all times, except when receiving a prophecy and when transmitting the word of G-d to the people.