Ki Tissa
Ex. 30:11-34:35
Précis: The parasha begins with a census of the people, accomplished by the collection of a half shekel. We then return to a description of Tabernacle items, including the basin, anointing oil, and incense. The holy work of building the Tabernacle is to be interrupted by Shabbat. Then we return to narrative. Moses is given the two tablets and he descends from Mount Sinai. There he sees the people worshipping the Golden Calf. The tablets are smashed and the evil doers are punished. Moses returns up the mountain, and we next have the articulation of the 13 Attributes of God. Moses carves a new set of tablets, and returns to the People, his face radiant.
Ex. 32:3 “And all the people took off their gold rings that were in their ears and brought them to Aaron. This he took from them and cast in a mold, and made it into a molten calf…”
Rabbi Erica Seager Asch has pointed out an important aspect to this story (MyJewishLearning.com, 2/23/16). In this verse, we see the Israelites eagerly giving their gold to Aaron for the purpose of creating a golden calf – an idol. Yet, in just a few weeks, we read that they eagerly give their gold (and other valuables) for the creation of the Tabernacle (the Mishkan) so that God could "dwell among them.” The gold was the same in each case, but what was done with it created the nature of the gift.
This can serve as a reminder that how we spend our “gold” is important. We can use it as a modern form of idol worship (the best, the latest fad, the most extravagant food and drink), or we can use it to promote holiness through charitable contributions, support of our congregations, and worthy civil causes. We need to avoid the plunder of unknown workers in far away countries who make many of the goods we use on a daily basis, or who are themselves slaves to blood diamonds or rare earth mining.
We have a choice: like the Israelites, the value of our gold is determined by how we use it.
