15 Feb SHABBOS IS IN THE AIR: STAYING ON THE MOUNTAIN

We read in this week’s parshah, about the tragic episode of the Eigel HaZahav, the Golden Calf. A chapter in the history of the Jewish people that is difficult to comprehend.

“Saru Maher – They have strayed quickly.” (Shemos 32:8)

How could it be? Bnei Yisroel just witnessed the plagues in Egypt, experienced the miraculous splitting of the sea, and tasted manna from heaven. They stood at Sinai, rose to the greatest of spiritual heights, and committed to a Torah way of life with the promise of “Na’aseh V’nishmah, We will do and we will listen”.

Our Torah is a living Torah, filled with life lessons. Our ancestors’ challenges, are our challenges. Their struggles are no different than our struggles. Through the prism of Torah, past and present merge as one.

Hillel teaches in Pirkei Avos, “Don’t believe in yourself until the day of your death”. (Ethics 2:5) While we all have the potential to achieve greatness, one should never be so self-confident as to believe that he is infallible, immune from making mistakes.

Try to imagine the Generation of the Exodus, crossing through the vast desert, not knowing what lies ahead. Moshe Rabbeinu was a source of hope and strength as he led the nation through the wilderness.

Moshe tells the people that he is climbing Sinai, ascending to the Heavens above, to accept and learn Torah directly from HaShem. He pledges to return after forty full days. Rashi explains, that through a miscalculation, Bnei Yisroel expected Moshe’s return a day earlier, on day thirty-nine. When Moshe didn’t appear as anticipated, the people began to panic. Rashi tells us how the Satan played with their emotions. The Satan brought confusion to the world, making it a dark and dreary day. Many concluded that Moshe must have died, and they were now leaderless.

Some amongst Bnei Yisroel felt abandoned and lost. Rabbi Chaim Shmuelevitz explains that the darkness brought upon by the Satan was depression. A depression that brought on fear, anxiety and uncertainty. These worries and doubts led the nation to the sin of the Eigel HaZahav, the Golden Calf.

Many who instigated the episode were from the “Eirev Rav” — the “mixed multitude” that included Egyptians and others who had joined the Tribes of Israel on the Exodus. Their faith was lacking. They joined because they saw Am Yisroel as a strong power and wanted to be on “the winning team”. With Moshe not on the scene, they planted seeds of doubt, which spread panic amongst the Jewish nation.

“Make for us G-ds…” (Shemos 32:1). The people turned to the Aaron, and asked him to form a G-d to lead the way.

It was only a minority that asked for a G-d. But the power of persuasion is so strong, that they were able to draw others to their beliefs. There were divisions even amongst those who requested a G-d. There was the Eirev Rav, who were accustomed to a culture of idol worship, and were ready to worship the actual calf. Then, there was a group who felt a need for an intermediary, on which HaShem’s presence would rest. They had difficulty believing in the abstract. They wanted something tangible. Something they could see and touch. There was yet a third group, that saw the Golden Calf as an opportunity to shake off the moral discipline of Torah. A Golden Calf doesn’t come with rules or obligations. They wanted a life free of any moral or religious restrictions.

Aaron tried to stall for time, hoping for Moshe’s imminent return, which would put an end to this entire chapter. He asked the men to collect gold jewelry from their wives, sons and daughters. Aaron’s hope was that his request for the men to take their wives’ jewelry would fail, and the entire plan for creating a G-d would disintegrate. The righteous women refused to participate in this idolatrous project. However, the men who were part of the rebellion brought their own jewelry to Aaron. Aaron threw the gold into a fire, and the Egyptian sorcerers, who knew black magic, were able to form the Golden Calf from the smoldering gold.

The Daas Zekeinim points out that on first reading, it might appear that Aaron was perhaps complicit by asking for gold. But things aren’t always what they appear to be. In reality, Aaron was doing his best to hold off the people, in anticipation of Moshe’s return.

“Who will climb HaShem’s mountain, who will stand in the place of His holiness.” (Tehillim 24:3)

My father zt”l, was spending some time with us upstate. We took a walk on a country road, and saw hilltops and mountains in the distance. For my father, every experience was an opportunity for Torah learning. He looked at the mountains around him, and repeated this verse from Psalms to me.

My father explained. “Who will climb…” Many start the climb to make life changes. But how many are able to remain on that mountaintop. We all make commitments and promises, but how many of us can maintain the momentum to fulfill and keep them.

How many times do we undertake to improve ourselves? To become better people. To be more caring and giving. To enrich our relationships with both HaShem and with our fellow man. Even to make lifestyle changes in our diet and exercise routines. Saru maher, how quickly do we begin the descent, the return to our past habits and practices.

“Who will stand in the place of His holiness.”

Moshe was overcome with pain and heartache seeing the people partying and celebrating with the Golden Calf.

“He cast the luchos, the tablets, from his hand, and shattered them at the foot of the mountain.” (Shemos 32:19)

Moshe returned to HaShem and pleaded on their behalf. He begged for forgiveness for the nation he loved so much. “…Please, forgive their transgression. If not, erase my name from the Holy Torah.” (Shemos 32:32)

The lesson of the Golden Calf has many messages for us.

• It illustrates how depression is toxic, plaguing us with worry, anxiety and tension.

• How important it is to always look at the entire picture. To avoid being hasty in judgment, for there may be another side to the story.

• To reject negative influences. To wisely choose our friends, which neighbors to interact with, and which co-workers to share personal time with.

• It’s one thing to attain greatness, but it’s quite another thing to sustain it.

Perhaps, the greatest lesson is one of forgiveness. As HaShem forgave Bnei Yisroel, we should learn from His ways, and be forgiving of others. We will be the better for it.

Shabbat Shalom!