Parshas Ki Sissa 5766

Commentary by Rabbi Ephraim Nisenbaum

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G-d commanded Moshe to take a census of the Jewish people. Although this order is mentioned before the sin of the Golden Calf, it was actually instructed after the plague had killed many of the participants in the sin. Rather than counting the people themselves, they were instructed to give a half shekel each, and the coins were then counted. The half-shekel served as atonement for the nation.

After the great revelation at Sinai, Moshe told the nation that he would return from atop the mountain after forty days. The people miscalculated Moshe’s words and began the counting from the moment he left. In fact, however, Moshe had meant for the forty days to begin from the next morning, marking a complete forty days and nights. When Moshe had not returned by noon of the fortieth day of their calculations, they feared that he would not return at all. The people clamored around Aharon to make them an image as a replacement for Moshe. Although Aharon had no intention of sinning, he feared for his life. The Midrash says that Chur, Miriam’s son, tried to stop the people and was murdered.

Aharon told the people to bring their gold to him. He thought he could procrastinate until Moshe returned. The people, however, rushed to bring him their gold. Aharon took the gold and threw it into a fire. Miraculously, a golden calf appeared by itself.

Only a minority of the nation, three thousand people, actually served the Golden Calf as a god. These instigators were actually from the Mixed Assembly who had joined the Jews when they left Egypt, and were not from the main body of the nation. The majority of the others only viewed it as a physical representation of something with which they could connect to G-d, to take the place of Moshe. Yet this too was considered a serious sin, because it marked a lack of trust and belief in the way G-d wanted the people to relate to Him.

The people were all punished on various levels, according to their involvement. The tablets that Moshe had received at Sinai were broken, and only after Moshe prayed on behalf of the people were they finally forgiven. The atonement was completed on Yom Kippur when they received the second set of tablets. Their direct relationship with G-d would never be the same. Only the Levites and the women, who had not been involved with the Calf at all, were spared from punishment. The Levites were chosen to serve in the Temple instead of the firstborn, and the women were given Rosh Chodesh, the New Moon, as a monthly holiday.

...the Children of Israel should guard the Shabbos. . . (Ex. 31:16)

The commentators note that Shabbos must be guarded and protected like a precious jewel. Rav Baruch Frankel would sleep sparingly on Shabbos, explaining that a guard must not fall asleep on his job.

The Chazon Ish was so vigilant regarding Shabbos observance, he would not use electricity on Shabbos in Israel, as he was concerned that its usage would cause work for the non-observant Jewish workers of the Electric Company. Even today, The Chazon Ish’s disciples only use electricity from a generator on Shabbos.

Did You Know...

The entire month of Nissan is considered like a holiday since the Tabernacle was dedicated during the first twelve days of the month, and the week of Pesach comes right after that.

The Tachanun prayers are not recited the entire month. Eulogies are also not permitted and funeral services are abbreviated, although the regular shiva is observed.

Fasting is not permitted throughout the entire month, except for the Fast of the Firstborn the day before Pesach. Although a bride and groom do not fast on their wedding day if it falls on any type of Jewish holiday, even minor, they do fast during the month of Nissan, and even on Rosh Chodesh.