The Sin of the Golden Calf

Parshat Ki Tissa discusses the sin of the Golden Calf. This sin that took place only forty days after the revelation at Sinai, caused irrevocable damage to the Jewish people.

After the entire nation heard G-d speak, Moshe Rabbeinu ascended the mountain for forty days and forty nights. He was taught, and he remembered all of the details of the Written Law and the Oral Law.

When he left, the nation was on the level of Adam before the sin. Death would have been eradicated, and Satan would have no power over the Jewish people.

The instigators of this tragic sin, were the Eirav Rav, or mixed multitude. Although the Leviim killed 3000 people who actively worshipped the Golden Calf, many more worshipped in their heart.

Moshe Rabbeinu was warned that his people had become corrupted. The two tablets he was carrying flew out of his hands and the Golden Calf was destroyed.

The people regretted greatly that they had turned away from Hashem. Moshe Rabbeinu appealed to Hashem for their forgiveness, and his request was granted.

He reminded Hashem that they came from Egypt, that was a decadent place where idol worship was rampant. He also reminded Hashem of the covenant that He had made to Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yakov.

It was the fault of the Eirav Rav .

His strongest argument was that if Hashem would punish His people, it would be a desecration of His holy name. He would look weak in the eyes of the nations. They would misinterpret His actions and think that Hashem wasn’t strong enough to lead His people to Israel.

Moshe was also taught the Thirteen Attributes of Hashem that when mentioned, were capable of turning, “Din,” harsh judgement into “Rachamim,” mercy.

The Alshich mentioned that Moshe was blessed with 600,000 descendants through his grandson, Rechavia, son of Eliezer. His prayers were answered but the scar of the sin of the Golden Calf was never completely healed.