Ki Tisa 5771 02-19-11

Parashat Ki Tissa "When you take"

19 February 2011

Exodus 30:11 - 34:35

I Kings 18:1 - 18:39

1Cor.8:4-13

The people of Israel are told to each contribute exactly half a shekel of silver to the Sanctuary. Instructions are also given regarding the making of the Sanctuary's water-basin, anointing oil and incense. "Wise hearted" artisans, Betzalel and Ahaliav, are placed in charge of the Sanctuary's construction and the people are once again commanded to keep the Shabbat.

When Moses does not return when expected from Mount Sinai, the people make a Golden Calf and worship it. GOD proposes to destroy the errant nation, but Moses intercedes on their behalf. Moses descends from the mountain carrying the Tablets of the Testimony engraved with the Ten Commandments; seeing the people dancing about their idol, he breaks the Tablets, destroys the Golden Calf and has the primary culprits put to death. He then returns to GOD to say: "If You do not forgive them, blot me out from the book that You have written." GOD forgives, but says that the effect of their sin will be felt for many generations. At first GOD proposes to send His angel along with them, but Moses insists that GOD Himself accompany His people to the Promised Land. Moses prepares a new set of tablets and once more ascends the mountain, where GOD re-inscribes the covenant on these Second Tablets. So radiant is Moses' face upon his return that he must cover it with a veil, which he removes only to speak with GOD and to teach His laws to the people.

We worship a merciful GOD, not a false god!

We know from previous Torah portions (Exodus 19:5) that the Children of Israel were chosen to be GOD’s treasure; to be a holy people. He entered into a treaty with them by giving them the Ten Commandments. GOD had further details as to how the people should live, as His holy people. For forty days, Moses was on top of the mountain, while the people waited below. However, seeing that those days seemed to go on and on, and approaching forty days, the people got impatient and were losing hope in GOD, who had no form, no shape. Then, they broke GOD’s first command and made a false image to worship. They created a god that looked like one of the Egyptian gods. They wanted to put a face, an image, to their god. They joined the worship of this Egyptian image in using a blending of the ways of worship of the false gods mixed with ways of worship for the true GOD, syncretism. They abandoned the Living GOD for a false god at a time when GOD was reaching out to them.

Another more current example would be when missionaries have gone to people in out-of-the-way places to bring the gospel. Instead, they blended parts of the religion of the land with the gospel, thus bringing upon all the same guilt as in the golden calf incident.

Others have attempted to reconcile their belief in the Living GOD with a philosophy that is contrary to Scripture. An example is in 1 Corinthians 4:8-21. The believers worshiped GOD, yet slid fast into worldliness, accepting the world’s value system which says that alternative lifestyles are acceptable because GOD is loving and He forgives. Or, GOD ‘made me this way’ therefore He wants me to be happy and not feel guilty. In Romans, Shaul states that wicked people push away truth about GOD; and they start to think foolish ideas of what GOD is like. They start to worship false idols and are lured into all sorts of vile and degrading things.

We must constantly be on guard for our enemy, who goes about as a roaring lion. He wants to whisper false thoughts that lead to death (three thousand died as a result of the Golden Calf incident). We must avoid foolish things and always strive to look at our hearts. We must be a follower of the Way of GOD. We must follow after our Messiah, who gave Himself as a ransom for all.

Shavua Tov

Rabbi Z

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