Parashat Ki Tissa
וָאֹמַ֤ר לָהֶם֙ לְמִ֣י זָהָ֔ב הִתְפָּרָ֖קוּ וַיִּתְּנוּ־לִ֑י וָאַשְׁלִכֵ֣הוּ בָאֵ֔שׁ וַיֵּצֵ֖א הָעֵ֥גֶל הַזֶּֽה׃
So, I said to them, ‘Whoever has gold, take it off!’ They gave it to me and I hurled it into the fire and out came this calf!” Exodus 32:24
In this week’s parasha, Ki Tissa, Aaron asks for gold, melts it, and shapes it into the Golden Calf–an idol that is antithetical to G*d.
In next week’s parasha, Moses asks for gold for a different reason, and the people again give it willingly, but there is an entirely different outcome.
Let’s look at both circumstances.
First, Aaron: Why does he ask for gold, and build the calf? Because the people are crazed with fear. Moses disappeared up Mt.Sinai 40 days ago, promised he’d be back, and he hasn’t returned. The Israelites keep asking, ‘Where is he? What happened to him? Has he left us alone?’ They are terrified of being alone without guidance in the wilderness. Aviva Zornberg says that they don’t give their gold with open hearts. Rather they give it out of desperation and despair. Basically, they are saying to Aaron, ‘I will give you anything to make these feelings of loneliness and fear go away.’
Lo and behold, a golden calf pops out. This is a familiar symbol to the slaves who had just spent 400 years in Egypt. This icon brought false comfort to tense people. But we know, it couldn’t work. An object, whether it be a calf, car, a shopping spree (retail therapy), or an affair–none of these have the sustainability, or value, to alleviate fear.
Second, Moses: Why does he ask for gold? What does he build? Moses brings the people something much more potent than a gold object. Moses begins the building of the mishkan. The gold is for the ritual objects that will help the people come closer to G*d’s Loving Presence. The gold ark will not be worshiped; but the tablets inside will be an eternal guide through any and all wildernesses. The Ten Commandments, and the Torah, will lead our people through all challenges.
Our Jewish community, CMT, our faith and our traditions have continued to support us even through the last three years of Covid. As we remember the anniversary of the lockdown this weekend, and our fears and challenges from it, we are grateful for G*ds ever present Mishkan over us.
This Shabbat may our faith dispel our fears. May G*d’s love fills our homes and hearts. May healing come to all of us, and to all in Israel.
Please join me tomorrow morning for Nosh and Drash, our Torah study which comes with a great breakfast. It is from 9.00 a.m. -10.00 a.m. in person; the hybrid service begins at 10 am.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Marcia Plumb
