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Video Study for Parsha Ki Tisa

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muman613:
One more expressing the idea that the Jews did not build the Calf with the intention of making an Idol to worship in place of Hashem:


http://www.aish.com/tp/b/sw/48948591.html

"The people saw that Moses delayed in coming down from the mountain. They gathered around Aaron, and said to him, 'Make us a shrine which will go before us. We have no idea what became of Moses, the man who brought us out of Egypt...' The people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron, who cast them into a molten calf. Some of the people began to say, 'This is your god, O Israel, who brought you out of Egypt.'" (Exodus 32:1-4)

We are bothered by one basic question: If the Jews had just witnessed God's awesome power in the Ten Plagues, the splitting of the Red Sea, and the revelation at Mount Sinai, how could these same people turn around and worship a Golden Calf?!

The answer is that the Jews never built the calf with the intention it should be worshipped.

Here's what happened: When Moses said, "I'm going up the mountain for 40 days," his intent was 40 full days. The people, however, mistakenly included in their count that first day – thereby expecting Moses to return one day earlier! (For example, let's say that today is Sunday. If I say you've got "one week" to get a certain job done – it is confusing whether you've got until Saturday, or until the following Sunday!)

So when Day 39 rolled around, the Jews began to wonder – "Where's Moses?" This caused great anxiety. For although the people knew it was God Himself Who'd orchestrated all the miracles, it was nevertheless Moses who'd raised his staff for the Red Sea to split. They relied on Moses as captain of the team around whom they rallied to get the job done.

So on Day 39, the malcontents in the camp began circulating rumors that he wasn't coming back at all. In fact, they managed to instill so much fear and anxiety, that the Talmud says the people actually saw a vision of Moses dead! (So strong is the power of suggestion.)

Then the Jews reasoned: If Moses isn't coming back, we must craft ourselves a replacement. And so the Golden Calf was born. Not as an idol; not as a rebellion against God. But as a figurehead. A mere shrine to replace the missing Moses.

And the next thing you know, it's full-blown idolatry.

muman613:
The deep and always fascinating Rabbi Yitzak Ginsburg...

muman613:
Rabbi Weisblum talks about Ki Tisa:

muman613:
Rabbi Trugman from BeThereIsrael gives an hour talk on our portion:

muman613:
The always friendly and loving Rabbi Machlis from Jerusalem:

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