From TorahVort.com
Ki Tisa
This week’s action packed parshah relates the laws on the ‘half shekel’ coin that the Jews donated to the tabernacle. It was to be made of silver, these coins were given by rich and poor a like, everyone had to give exactly half a shekel, no more and no less. This coin was to be used to count the number of Jewish people alive. There are several reasons why it had to be half a shekel; as we see later on Moshe will smash the tablets in to 2 pieces, so in atonement for that, they had to donate a ‘split’ coin. Another reason for it was that when two half shekels are put together it turns to a whole shekel, this teaches us that unity and oneness is important. G-d’s presence rests among us when the Jews are united together, one nation one heart! Next, the parshah relates the laws on further components of the tabernacle, firstly, the ‘Kiyor’ a copper jug of water, which the Kohanim would wash their hands and feet with prior to their services in the tabernacle, in order to sanctify themselves. The Parshah relates the laws of the ‘anointment oil’ that would be used to anoint different parts of the tabernacle and also used in anointing future Kohen Gadol’s and Jewish Kings. We will see in parshat Shmini, how Aharon was anointed with oil on his forehead. The Parshah then relates the laws on the incense and spices that were to be used in the golden alter, this was one of Hashems most favourite sacrificial services. Yet again, the Torah then goes on to relate the importance of keeping Shabbat, by guarding it and sanctifying it. It is mentioned throughout the Torah especially as we saw in Yitro, Mishpatim, Kedoshim and Emor. The main topic on the parshah this week is the sin of the Golden Calf. Moshe had gone up the heavenly realms to receive the tablets and learn the whole torah by G-d. The Jews miscalculated the time when Moshe was meant to descend down from the mountain. As Moshe didn’t reappear after 40 days, the people panicked that he was not coming back, and decided to make a Golden Calf. A man of the name, Chur, protested and stuck up for Hashem’s honor, he stressed how much of a sin it would be to make it, however they disgracefully murdered him. Then Aharon, believing that Moshe was going to come down very quickly went a long with the idea, in a delayed fashion, convinced that Moshe would come down before the calf was made. Also Aharon realized his life was at stake if he didn’t go along with it. With Moshe not appearing, the Jews threw gold in to a fire and a golden calf emerged from the flame. To add insult to injury, the Jews danced around it with Joy which made matters much worse, G-d was very angry, not just that they instituted this; they derived much pleasure while doing so. Moshe and Joshua descended down the mountain and witnessed what was going, Moshe then smashed the Tablets, realizing how he could not give over the Jews the precious Torah, while they are committing terrible sins at the time. Moshe went back up on Mount Sinai and begged Hashem for forgiveness. G-d stated that he was ready to destroy all the Jews and start fresh again with Moshe, making him the forefather of a new great generation. However Moshe begged and begged and Hashem forgave, however punishment was still in store for those who took part and failed to protest about the making of the Calf. Moshe asked G-d, ‘why do many of the righteous suffer in this world? And why do the some of the wicked prosper?’ Many opinions on this are given, included in this is, the suffering comes about as a test, an atonement, behaviour of the fathers, behaviour in past lives and so on. The righteous gentile, Iyov, suffered greatly losing his children, livestock, wealth and suffered with terrible ‘boils’ all over his body, however Hashem comforted him and multiplied everything he had and owned after realizing and understanding why all this happened. Hashem informs Moshe of his 13 attributes of Mercy and then the parshah concludes relating how Moshe came down after his third spell, spending 40 days and 40 nights up in the heavenly realms learning torah. He came down with a strong glow on his face, measuring his holy stature at the time. The Haftorah for this weeks reading is from chapter 18 of the book of Kings, where the prophet Eliyahu appears before King Achav to give him a warning. Hope you all have a fantastic Shabbat, from Michael Zaroovabeli.
