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True, it is difficult to understand how, immediately following the Giving of the Torah, the Children of Israel made a Golden Calf and began to worship it. Such a sin, it would be expected, should have brought irrevocable disrepute upon that generation. But when one approaches this whole event from broader, more all-encompassing view, things take on a different light. It turns out that the generation of the Exodus, despite everything, was in fact a great generation.
How, then, did the Sin of the Golden Calf come about?
After witnessing the Giving of the Torah, the Children of Israel eagerly awaited the return of Moses. Moses had climbed the mountain and had not taken any provisions with him. It appeared as if he planned on returning the same day to bring the Tablets of the Covenant from God to the people. The people stood waiting for Moses to bring the Tablets, they stood waiting to receive something from Moses, something tangible toward which they would be able to direct their prayers to God. Moses, however, tarried upon the mountain for many days.
Foundations of Faith (51)
Rabbi Shalom Arush
1 - Emuna From the Cradle
2 - 45. The “Hassid” (Saintly Person)
3 - 47. The “Hassid” - The Ideal Jew
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Eventually, a small group of people began to lose confidence in Moses' ever returning. The nation became divided into factions. The factions held disparate opinions regarding how to respond to the situation.
Some felt that it was necessary to stop waiting around and to start taking action. They prescribed making some sort of graven image toward which the people would be able to turn when they desired worshiping God. Not that the Israelites should worship the image itself, heaven forbid, but that they be able to worship God via such a vehicle. They felt it necessary to have such a tangible object to help them direct their prayers to God and recall His wonders - not unlike what we do today when, in referring to God, we look to the sky and speak of God Who "sits on high." In other words, the people's offense lie in the fact that they created an image. They attributed Divine significance to that which they created with their own hands, of their own will, without being commanded by the Almighty - and such an act is forbidden.
They entertained, then, no intention of disavowing the Almighty God Who had released them from Egyptian bondage. To the contrary, they believed that by creating such a medium they would be capable of serving God even more effectively and devoutly. This was the reason that they approached Aaron with the request that he make the Golden Calf for them. Though their intentions were pure, they erred and committed an offense, for God had commanded not to make any such graven image, even with the purest of intentions. Their transgression was a serious one, yet, while it clearly constituted a violation of one of God's commandments, it did not reflect an attempt to betray Him.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Chukat "HOW ENTEBBE STOLE THE BICENTENNIAL
The Difference Between Historic & Eternal"
As we approach America's 250th birthday, it's worth remembering her 200th Bicentennial birthday, on Jul. 4th 1976, when Israel "stole the show" by shocking the world & miraculously saving 101 hostages in a foreign continent. As Pres. As Pres. Trump decides which countries get priority in his new Middle-East, it's worth reminding him of the difference between historic events and eternally historic ones. This obviously connects with this week's parsha, as well!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 6 - The Parable of the King of India
The advantages of testimony over circumstantial evidence or philosophical speculation.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 5- "Proofs of G-d"
This may be the most important class of the entire book, where we finally get to the Jewish proof of the existence of G-d and truth of the Torah. We should follow His own direction where He tells us how to get to Him: through the Nation of Israel: Jewish history, Jewish prophets (and today, prophecies fulfilled), and national reward & punishment towards Am Yisrael.
Ein Aya One Humanity, One Creator, One Jerusalem
Rav Kook innovatively and beautifully explains this aggadeta where our sages say that after Jerusalem was destroyed her cinnamon fragrance is only found locked in a particular kingdom's treasury.
Shlach Lecha "Why So Many Don't Make Aliya?" - Parshat Shlach
This short article deals with the weird phenomena that every single time Am Yisrael is meant to enter the Land of Israel, throughout the Tanach, 2nd Temple and until today, they "chicken out" and look for excuses. What's the problem with this mitzvah that proves so challenging. The article, based on sources, suggests that the difficulties of Eretz Yisrael is precisely her secret and beauty!
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 4
The class deals with Islam and how the Muslim tries convincing the King of the Khazars, and why he was also rejected.
Beha'alotcha JEWISH STATE= GUIDE TO G-DLINESS & SELFLESSNESS
A Jewish State not only is a good idea, but educates us towards selflessness, altruism and G-dliness in our daily lives.
Ein Aya In Zion Even the Smoke of the Bark is Sweet
Just as Jewish nationalism is different from others, so too our capitol of Jerusalem is totally different than other national capitols. Rav Kook beautifully explains the passage in the Talmud that the trees of Yerushalayim were cinnamon trees.
