Dvar Torah Parshat Ki Tisa

This week's parsha, parshat Ki Tisa, explores the story of the golden calf. Due to Moshe not returning from Har Sinai on time, Bnei Yisrael panicked and built an idol. When Moshe comes down and sees the calf, he destroys it and punishes those who sinned. 

Hashem becomes furious as well, threatening to destroy the Jewish people, but Moshe prays on their behalf which ultimately saves them. Later on, though, Hashem tells Moshe to carve a second set of Luchot to show Bnei Yisrael that they are being given a second chance. 

This doesn’t answer the question, though, of why the Jewish people would  make an idol when they had already heard the ten commandments and received the Torah? 

Rashi explains that Bnei Yisrael assumed Moshe had passed away because he didn't return in the 40 days according to their count. The Jews thought that Moshe was gone because they counted the days in a way that did not align with the Jewish calendar, which starts at night rather than morning. The Rambam adds that they didn’t want to replace Hashem but were making the idol as something that could help them feel more connected to Hashem. However, the Kuzari points out that even though there were good intentions, Bnei Yisrael was still definitely in the wrong since they disobeyed Hashem's commandment.  

The Maharal brings a new opinion, distinguishing between the first and second Luchot. The first Luchot represented a perfect and spiritual way of life that Bnei Yisrael were not ready for. When they sinned, a second set of Luchot was carved by Moshe, which represents a true connection to Hashem. This connection doesn't come from perfection, but rather from effort and growth. 

Rav Soloveitchik states that the second Luchot are meant to teach us that everybody makes mistakes, but through hard work, they can rebuild themselves and grow stronger. 

A lesson that people can learn from this is that failure is never the end. Just as Bnei Yisrael got a second chance, the Jews in this generation can too. Jews can always return to Hashem and grow from past mistakes, no matter how big or small. The key isn’t to be perfect, but to never give up and grow. 

Shabbat Shalom!

By: Dina Abramova (10th)