Ki Tissa' (Ex. 30:11-34:35)

Breaking the Law

            Ki Tissa’ finds Moses still receiving commandments from Hashem on Mt. Sinai. After giving Moses instructions on a census, taxes, a layout for the Tent of Meeting, and Ark of the Pact; Hashem inscribes the instructions on two tablets and signs his name. Moses descends the mountain, presumably excited to give these teachings to the Israelites, who have been peacefully waiting. To his horror, the Israelites and Aaron have made a golden calf, which they are now worshipping as their god. Hashem brings a plague upon the people and Moses prays for the L-rd to forgive them. The L-rd brings Moses back up to inscribe the lessons again on a new pair of tablets.

            Imagine how disappointed and angry Moses was to see the misbehavior of the Israelites. How soon they had forgotten of their rescuing from their bondage in Egypt. It made Moses angry to destroy the tablets with Hashem’s signature. Tractate Shabbat Daf 89 offers an interesting take. Rabbi Joshua ben Levi said that Satan showed the Israelites a vision of Moses’ coffin in the heavens and being that the time that he was to return had passed, they believed that he was dead. They told this to Aaron and committed the sin of the golden calf. It is understandable to not be in your right mind when someone you have great respect for is gone, especially when you are then “alone” in a place that you have never been. But we can learn from this event. Sure, we can follow and learn from a righteous person, but remember that they are just mortals. Also, keep your life in check as someone may be “following” you and you may not even realize.

Tetsavveh (Ex. 27:20-30:10)

Dress British, Think Yiddish

            Parasha Tetsavveh continues with instructions from Hashem to Moses. The bulk of the instructions were for priestly garments and the procedure for the consecration of priests. The men selected for priesthood came from the line of Levi. I find this particularly interesting as part of the word Levite is “lev,” the Hebrew word for heart. Today, many people dress however they want, within reason, as it is your heart and soul that truly matter. Some say “clothes make the man” but I believe that his thoughts and actions do.

Terumah (Ex. 25:1-27:19)

The Weight

            Parasha Terumah opens with Hashem telling Moses that he is to have the Israelites bring Him gifts. The specifics of these gifts are given as well as the layout for the Ark of the Pact and the Tabernacle. How do we, living in the post-Destruction of the Temple era, honor our L-rd? It sounds cliché, but it starts with living right and following Hashem’s laws. We “sacrifice” with killing our old, bad ways. We pass the “gift” of being G-d’s Chosen People on to our children. As it says in “Al Shloshah D’varim, the Hakafah selection from Pirkei Avot 1:2, Al Shloshah D’varim haolam omeid: Al HaTorah, v’al haavodah, v’al g’milut chasadim. (The world is sustained by three things: Torah, worship, and loving deeds)

Mishpatim (Ex. 21:1-24:18)

Unbroken Rules, Unbroken Faith

            Parasha Mishpatim, or “Ordinances,” is named for the series of rules that the parasha lists. The rules cover a range of categories, including treatment of slaves and animals, punishment for theft, worship, and more. At the end of the parasha, Chapter 24:12-18, Moses ascends Mt. Sinai to receive the tablets inscribed with Hashem’s commandments. Moses stays on the mountain for 40 days and 40 nights.

            The Israelites are being provided with a model for society before they ever reach the Promised Land. In summarization, I will focus on one of the dietary laws given; the separation of meat and dairy. To quote the scripture: “You shall not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.” I once asked my rabbi about eating a non-meat, turkey, with cheese. I was told that it violates Maris Ayin (Vision of the Eye). In other words, you could give the wrong impression. As Jews, we have the challenge, as well as the privilege of always making the right impression.