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The sin of the Golden Calf is one of the most serious sins Am Yisrael ever transgressed. How, then, could Yeravam ben Nevat commit the same sin again, placing golden calves in Beit El and in Dan (Melachim I, 12:28-29), and how could the people agree to it? Also, why did he call his two sons Nadav and Aviah (see Melachim I, 14:1,20), similar to Aharon’s sons?
The Abarbanel has an enlightening explanation, clarifying the actions of Yeravam, who received kingship over the Ten Tribes via prophecy. At the beginning of Yeravam’s rule, the pasuk describes him as wearing a "new cloak" (ibid.: 11:30). Chazal explained that "his Torah had no "stains," similar to a new cloak" (Sanhedrin 102a).
The navi does not state that Yeravam built an altar in front of the calves, nor did they bow or bring sacrifices to them, as happened in the desert. Yeravam did not ever intend to create idols to worship as did the generation of the desert. Rather, Yeravam saw that Shlomo made two pillars at the entrance to the Beit Hamikdash as a memorial for his father and himself, who built the Temple. Therefore, Yeravam also made some type of memorial to his kingship. Since he was a descendant of Yosef, he decided to place one calf in dedication of his family in Beit El, where his kingship began. It was made of gold to symbolize the eternity of his kingship, as well as his honor and greatness. He showed that the sign of the King of Yehuda was made of copper while the sign of the King of Israel was made of gold, in the form of the strongest animal – the ox. He placed this in Bet El at the entrance to the altars, just as Shlomo placed the pillars at the entrance to the Beit Hamikdash. Since Eretz Yisrael was vast he placed another calf in Dan, at the border of the Land, in order that his kingship would be commemorated even there. Also, he made two calves representing the two sons of Yosef – Ephraim and Menashe. By this, Yeravam was trying to give testimony that the birthright was actually given to Yosef, hence the kingship should go to him and not the tribe of Yehuda.
Let us summarize the Abarbanel’s opinion. Yeravam did not repeat the sin of the Golden Calf. His calves were meant to be a symbol of the kingship of Yosef, placed at the entrance to the kingdom from both sides. They also symbolized that Yosef was rewarded the kingship and not Yehuda. By doing this, Yeravam was directly trying to seize the leadership from the successors of Shlomo, who built the Beit Hamikdash in Yerushalayim with the two pillars – Yachin and Boaz.
Unfortunately many people did not understand this and turned the calves into idol worship and hence re-enacted the sin of the Golden Calf. Perhaps there was a similar sequence of events with Aharon Hakohen.
Let us pray that we be able to rectify the sin of the Golden Calf and merit to serve Hashem with pure thoughts and actions.
Rabbis in Midrash
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Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
