Our son is going through a phase
that reminds me that he is very typical of most boys here in North America.
This phase became quite apparent during our recent visit to Los Angeles for a
niece’s Bat Mitzvah. Whenever we walked (a rarity for Los Angelinos), and our
son noticed an expensive sports car, or classic car, he insisted that we take a
picture. Needless to say he accumulated quite the collection of pictures: Porsche,
Lamborghini, Maserati, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, Mustang Shelby, Jaguar
XS8 just to name a few. In some he actually posed next to these cars, in some
the car stood alone. When he saw the car, our son had the same look of awe.
When he saw the car, he would always say: “maybe someday”. I would always
remind him that it’s just a car, and while certainly an automotive thing of
beauty, it is something to be idolized. Yet idolatry, does exist. People
worship all types of false gods. Those false gods may be the God of money, the
God of secularism, the God of status, the God of Power. We know that these
false Gods are not particular to North American consumerism. In Israel, the
Knesset is attempting to pass a law that attempts to outlaw dangerous cults.
Currently there are nearly 100 cults in Israel to which nearly 20,000 Israelis
belong. Even Israel struggles with idolatry.
This week’s Torah portion is
entitled Ki Tissah. Parsha Ki Tissa is divided into several parts. The first
part being the commanded to take a census of the population and collect a half
shekel for each person counted. The second part is the final blue prints for
the Mishkan, the spices that are to be used, as well as the oil that is to be processed
prior to burning. God then designates two men, Betzalel ben Uri from the tribe
of Judah and Ahaliav ben Achisamach from the tribe of Dan to be the Master
Builder and Designer of this national project. God re-iterates the commandment
of the Shabbat and reminds Moshe that anyone who violates it will be put to
death and his/her soul will be cut off from the people. The next part B’nai Yisroel commits the sin
of the Eigel Zahav (Golden Calf): they built and then
worshipped an idol. God wants to wipe out the people but Moshe urges God to
reconsider. Moshe then descends the mountain and becomes just as upset as God,
and he throws down the Shnei Luchot
HaBrit – the Two Tablets of the Covenant. After a day or two when
calm has been restored, Moshe re-ascends the mountain in order to pray for
national forgiveness. Moshe then has an opportunity to experience another
personal revelation even more powerful than the Burning Bush; Moshe has the
opportunity to witness God’s passing before him. Dictated by God, Moshe chisels
the Aseret Diberot into two new
Tablets. He then goes back down the mountain. This time he descends with light
and glory of God emanating from him.
During the moment when Moshe re-
ascends the mountain seeking forgiveness for the people’s idolatrous behavior;
Moshe experiences a personal revelation God passes by. During this moment of apology and this moment
of revelation, God re-iterates the covenant.
VaYomer Hinei Anochi Koreit Brit
Neged Kol Amcha E’eseh Niflaot Asher Lo Nivre’u V’Chol Ha’Aretz U’VeChol
HaGoyim - God said, ‘Behold, I seal a
covenant: Before your entire people I shall make distinctions such as have
never been created in the entire world and among all the nations.; and the
entire people among whom you are will see the work of Hashem – which is awesome
- that I am about to do with you. HiShameir
Lecha Pen Tichrot Brit L’Yosheiv Ha’Aretz Asher Atah Ba Aleha Pen Yiheyeh
L’Mokeish B’Kirbecha- Be vigilant
lest you seal a covenant with the inhabitant of the land to which you come,
lest it be a snare among you. (Ex. 34:11-12)The lesson of the Eigel Zahav,
(the Golden Calf) was that B’nai Yisroel mimicked the indigenous idolatrous
people that were living in B’nai Yisroel’s covenanted land. God reminded Moshe and by association
reminded the people that they must not weaken the nature of the covenant. They
must not deal with these nations for fear that B’nai Yisroel becomes ensnared
(L’Mokeish), trapped, and weakened. How could these idol worshipping nations
ensnare B’nai Yisroel? The fact is these nations cannot trap or ensnare B’nai
Yisroel unless B’nai Yisroel ceases its vigilance, if they start dealing with
these nations, or if they think that peace with these nations will lead to the
perpetuation of B’nai Yisroel. From God’s perspective is to remind Moshe that
the desire to make peace with those who want to destroy B’nai Yisroel, is not
peace but rather will lead to B’nai Yisroel’s destruction.
No matter the country in which we
live, no matter the neighborhood in which we reside, we must all be vigilant “lest we become ensnared”; and begin engaging
in idolatry. Whether it was B’nai Yisroel constructing the Golden Calf, or our
son “drooling” over the myriad of sports cars he encountered, idolatry is
directly related to emotion and inversely related to thinking. Idolatry is the
result of our passions, wants, and desires. When passion and emotion overwhelm
our ability to think, and to reason for ourselves, we become L’Mokeish, ensnared. So the Torah’s call to vigilance is really a call to keep
emotion and passion in check by through our intellect.
Peace,
Rav Yitz
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