Ki Tissa begins with the final details about the Sanctuary, including a collection of money from the people that was to serve as a census. The parsha then moves into high drama with one of the most gripping narratives in Jewish history. The people, panicking in the absence of Moses (who is up the mountain, receiving the tablets from God),…
Ki Tissa tells of one of the most shocking moments of the forty years in the wilderness. Less than six weeks after the greatest revelation in the history of religion – Israel’s encounter with God at Mount Sinai – they made a Golden Calf. Either this was idolatry or perilously close to it, and it caused God to say to…
The Summary This summary is adapted from this week’s main Covenant & Conversation essay by Rabbi Sacks. Ki Tissa includes one of the most shocking moments of the forty years in the wilderness. Within six weeks of their encounter with God at Har Sinai, Bnei Yisrael make a Golden Calf. Either this was idolatry or perilously close to it, and…
…it is out of place here. It (and Tetzaveh) should have appeared after Ki Tissa, which tells the story of the Calf. It is set here before the sin to tell us that the cure existed before the disease, the tikkun before the kilkul, the mending before the fracture, the rectification before the sin. So to understand Terumah and the phenomenon of the Mishkan, the Sanctuary and all that it…
The more I study the Torah, the more conscious I become of the immense mystery of Exodus 33. This is the chapter set in the middle of the Golden Calf narrative (between Exodus chapter 32 describing the sin and its consequences, and Exodus chapter 34 with God’s revelation to Moses of the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy, the second set of…
At the height of the drama of the Golden Calf, a vivid and enigmatic scene takes place. Moses has secured forgiveness for the people. But now, on Mount Sinai yet again, he does more. He asks God to be with the people. He asks Him to “teach me Your ways,” and “show me Your glory” (Ex. 33:13, Ex. 33:18). God replies:…
…Closer Look Marcus J Freed now reflects on the messages within Rabbi Sacks’ essay for Ki Tissa. What stood out for you in this week’s piece by Rabbi Sacks? Rabbi Sacks mentions two verses: “Show me now Your ways” (Shemot 33:13), and “Show me now Your glory” (Shemot 33:18). It is fascinating that Moshe is asking for visual proof of…
The Parsha in a Nutshell Ki Tissa begins with the final details about the Sanctuary, including a collection of money that was to serve as a census to count the Israelite population. The parsha then tells one of the most gripping stories in Jewish history. The people, confused and panicking without the leadership of Moshe (who is up the mountain,…
…a fair share of the costs. When this happens, trust is eroded and public spiritedness declines. This is illustrated in an experiment known as the “free rider game,” designed to test public spiritedness within a group. We mentioned this study earlier in this year’s series, in parshat Ki Tissa. In the game, as you may recall, each of the participants…