Audio & Outline Notes for Parashat Ki Sissa
Parashat Ki Sissa (Hebrew: "When you take") Exodus / Shemot 30:11 - 34:35 Haftarah Reading: I Kings / Melachim 18:1 - 18:39
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Outline Notes:
I. Introduction
A. Parashah Abbreviated Outline
- The people of Israel are told to each contribute exactly half a shekel of silver to the Sanctuary. Instructions are also given regarding the making of the Sanctuary's water-basin, anointing oil and incense. "Wise hearted" artisans Betzalel and Ahaliav are placed in charge of the Sanctuary's construction, and the people are once again commanded to keep the Shabbat.
- When Moses does not return when expected from Mount Sinai, the people make a Golden Calf and worship it. G-d proposes to destroy the errant nation, but Moses intercedes on their behalf. Moses descends from the mountain carrying the Tablets of the Testimony engraved with the Ten Commandments; seeing the people dancing about their idol, he breaks the Tablets, destroys the Golden Calf and has the primary culprits put to death. He then returns to G-d to say: "If You do not forgive them, blot me out from the book that You have written."
- G-d forgives, but says that the effect of their sin will be felt for many generations. At first G-d proposes to send His angel along with them, but Moses insists that G-d Himself accompany His people to the Promised Land.
- Moses prepares a new set of tablets and once more ascends the mountain, where G-d reinscribes the covenant on these Second Tablets. So radiant is Moses' face upon his return, that he must cover it with a veil, which he removes only to speak with G-d and to teach His laws to the people.
B. Mystery of a Half-Shekel (Exodus 30:11-16)
- Why was a "half" shekel used? According to Rambam, this teaches us that no Jew is complete when alone -- a Jew can only reach the ultimate spiritual heights when he/she associates and cooperates with fellow Jews, through a community of Israel.
- Each Jew, not matter how rich or how poor was commanded to contribute the same exact amount - and not a "penny" more. This tells us that to G-d it's not important how great the amount money you give to His work or how much total time you devote to service of Ha-Shem. Rather, G-d looks at how much of your available time you devote to G-d. He cares about the sincerity and obedience with which you serve and give to Him. (Lesson of the widow's mite: Mark 12:38-44, Luke 20:45-47,21:1-4)
- All Israelites were equal before him - no matter how great or small. All Yeshua followers, be they Jew or Gentile, educated or not, rich or poor, no matter how significant or insignificant our service to G-d seems to us, we are all equals before G-d. Obedience is greater than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22)
- G-d said that a half-shekel was to serve as a reminder for Israelites to atone for their souls during the census - this was so that there would be no plague among them. (Exodus 30:16) Compare this to the plague that G-d brought upon Israel when King David decided to do a census against G-d's will. (2 Samuel 24:1)
C. Golden Calf: Comfort in the Visible and Tangible (Exodus 32)
- The people of Israel felt that their only real connection to Ha-Shem was through Moshe. In fact, people themselves asked Moshe to be the mediator between them and G-d - they were afraid to have G-d speak to them directly (Exodus 20:19).
- Seeing that their leader Moshe was delayed from his 40 days and 40 nights on Mt. Sinai, the people felt that Moshe has abandoned them. Leaderless, they panicked and sought comfort in the visible idols.
- This teaches us that we are most vulnerable to doubt and errors of judgment during moments of confusion and depression. We must be particularly alert during those times when G-d seems so far away.
- Amazing twist: it appears that the people perceived the calf NOT AS SOME FOREIGH god, but rather they used the calf as a way to worship the true G-d who has been with Israel all along - it became their mediator in place of Moshe. We can see evidence of this in the following verse in Exodus 32:
"When Aaron saw this, he built an altar in front of the calf and announced, 'Tomorrow there will be a festival to the ETERNAL. (YHWH)'"
- Worshipping an idol who you view as merely representing the real G-d above is still very grave idolatry in Ha-Shem's eyes.
D. Sacrificial, Selfless Leadership of Moshe (Exodus 32)
- Moshe was selfless with his love for his people Israel. Even when G-d promised to create a new and better nation from Moshe (something that would bring great honor) Moshe instead would rather choose spiritual death over G-d's abandoning and destroying his disobedient chosen people:
"Please forgive them. If not, blot me out from the book which You have written." Exodus 32:32 (Compare with Shaul's words in Romans 9:3)
- Moshe was not interested in benefits of leadership (wealth, power, honor) - his only interests were spiritual and physical wellbeing of his people.
- Moshe was willing to risk G-d's anger on himself. He would give up his life willingly for Israel, even when Israel was at it's worst.
- God promised to send to Israel a great prophet who will be a "Prophet like Moshe" (Deuteronomy 18:18) There have never been (Deuteronomy 34:10) another prophet like Moshe, not until G-d sent Yeshua our Maschiach.
- No other prophet was as willing to love sinful Israel
- No other prophet acted as a mediator between G-d and Israel
- No other prophet was as meek and humble
- No other prophet was as close to G-d
- No other prophet was as willing to lay down his life for his people
- No other prophet has accomplished so many great miracles by G-d's hand.
II. Conclusion: Israel came so close to ceasing being a nation when it committed the grave sin of idolatry. It was never, as a nation, the same after that. Yet, Israel lives to this day because of G-d's mercy, long-suffering, deep love for His chosen nation, the promises He made to Israel's forefathers, but also because of Moshe's selfless, sacrificial leadership and love for his fellow Jews. We'd do well to follow Moshe's example.