Day: March 12, 2025

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By Rabbi Shloimie Lindenbaum

ויעשהו עגל מסכה ויאמרו אלה אלקיך ישראל (פרק לב פסוק ד)

Just a short while after בני ישראל witnessed the wondrous miracles of יציאת מצרים (leaving Egypt), קריעת ים סוף (the splitting of the sea), and מתן תורה (the giving of the Torah), they fell terribly in creating a עגל הזהב (golden calf) and serving it. Rashi tells us that this עבירה was initiated by the ערב רב- the group of Egyptian converts that joined בני ישראל as they left מצרים. Many ask, even if it was the fault of the ערב רב, we are taught that at קריעת ים סוף everyone reached tremendous levels of holiness and prophecy, if so, how could they have fallen so low in such a short amount of time? R’ Chaim Shmulevitz answers that although everyone, even the lowest elements, were on high levels by the ים סוף, it was not something they had worked for. When someone slowly works their way higher and higher in the spiritual spheres, they are constantly changing themselves and truly becoming greater and holier people. However, when someone is given a high level as a gift from Hashem, it does not change their essence. They remain the same person they were before, even through their momentary flash of greatness. Therefore, the ערב רב returned to their true level once the first נסיון, test, came along. Their greatness was not internalized as a real part of them because it was not something that they had worked and prepared for. Our job on this world is to strive and push to become greater and closer to Hashem. The obstacles in our way may seem inconvenient, but it is only by pushing through them and working through the hurdles that we truly make our greatness a part of our essence. The process is slow and arduous, but in this way, we can truly grow and become better people.

ויתן על פניו מסוה ובבא משה לפני ה’ לדבר אתו יסיר את המסוה (פרק לד פסוק לג-ד)

After משה returned from הר סיני the second time, his face shone with a spiritual light that was blinding for בני ישראל. They could not look at his face, and so when he spoke with them, he wore a mask. When he spoke with Hashem, however, he removed his mask. R’ Akiva Eiger explains this on a deeper level. He says that משה was an incredibly humble person- עניו מכל אדם, however he was also the king and leader of בני ישראל. As their leader he needed to act towards them with a certain assertiveness and authority, also demanding a high level of respect. This was his “mask”- concealing his true character of humility with a façade of grandeur for the sake of properly leading and directing Hashem’s nation. It follows then, that when he spoke with Hashem, he removed the “mask” and stood before his Master in his true form of the ultimate humble servant.

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By Rabbi Naftoly Bier

One of the most puzzling, perplexing, bewildering portions of the Torah is the incident of the Golden Calf.

How is it possible that after having witnessed Hashem’s presence at Har Sinai, that people would make the implausible act of violating a directive from Hashem as not to create “forms” that are in “Heaven”? “לא תעשון אתי אלהי כסף ואלהי זהב”

HaRav Nosson Wachtfogel זצ”ל, who was the Mashgiach in Lakewood Yeshiva, a person whose understanding of human nature was profound and singular, taught that there are many fundamental lessons to be derived.

Let us remember that the בני ישראל in Egypt were greatly involved with idol worship. (יחזקאל כ’, ח-ט, Ezekiel 20, 8-9) How was it possible for them to reach the spiritual level of having Hashem speak to them directly (פה אל פה – see Rambam); to attain the spiritual level of Adam, אדם הראשון, before he ate from the עץ הדעת, the Tree of Knowledge? The resounding, unequivocal answer is that we are taught הבא לטהר מסייעין אותו. If one truly, relentlessly desires to conduct themselves in the manner that G-d prescribes for us, he will gain a silent partner, who will magnanimously facilitate its accomplishment; that being G-d Himself.

It therefore follows that when one is confronted with situations and tests of life which need focus and assistance from Hashem, one has to be cognizant that the only manner in which to overcome hurdles is with Hashem’s help.

Human nature is the opposite; we want to declare כחי ועצם ידי, I am, I can, I am able to create, conquer, and be productive on my own. If we lose the correct focus of the true dynamic of success; then we lose our partner, Hashem, and yes, we can create a golden calf.

Another lesson is the following: A person could have a revelation, one can witness a miracle. For example, a person who has been told by a doctor that he or she had an inoperable brain tumor that has disappeared; at that moment it’s obvious that there is a G-d who performed a miracle.

But a month or a year later the person is once again an agnostic or one who believes in G-d, but still conducts the previous pattern of living.

To truly change, to with certainty not lose the power of the moment, necessitates constant intellectual and emotional focus on their invaluable experience. Human nature demands that one can only effect change by relentless fixation without any divergence.

Though they had witnessed the awesome, “earth-shattering” experience of הר סיני. They had squandered the opportunity of acuity through constant focus and therefore made a terrible mistake.

The third lesson is that the revelation of Hashem at Mt. Sinai included their ability to “see” the happenings in “Heaven” itself. That is what the prophet יחזקאל, Ezekiel in Chapter 1 describes, “And I saw… the forms of four distinct living beings…” (the celestial chariot) was discerned by all of the Jewish people.

But a revelation of the metaphysical sphere necessitates dogged contemplation and intellectual resolution. To apply a vision of the supernatural to the life of a human can’t be correct without a determined, truthful effort. Those who were involved with the Golden Calf had not dedicated the necessary time to truly understand the implications of their newly found revelation in order to use it properly.

Three major lessons: change is the most difficult ordeal and accomplishment of life, we need G-d’s partnership.

We are not creations of intellect or emotion but rather what creates our essence is constancy or behavior. To thoroughly and “perfectly” understand what is presented to us demands sincere deliberation and reflection.

We are taught one of the most fundamental ideas is that “אדם נפעל כפי פעולותיו”, “We develop into who we are, due to repetitive action.” Though constant focus helps; persistent action has a significantly more powerful impact, for one is inculcating in oneself thoughts which now the “whole body” is involved. A formula for implementing this dynamic is to write one’s thoughts, inspirations and lessons learned.