The Sedra Ki Tisa 5780
This week we look at Parshat Ki Tisa, a portion filled with dramatic heights and depths. After the tragedy of the golden calf and the subsequent atonement, Moshe descends from the mountain with the second set of tablets. A peculiar detail emerges: his face was radiant with divine light, and the people were terrified to approach him. Why did they fear this light? While the Ramban suggests they thought Moshe had become an angel, Rashi teaches that their sin had changed their perspective. Before the golden calf, they could look at divine fire without trembling, but now even a reflection [...]
The Sedra Tetzaveh 5780
In this week's portion, we are commanded to build the altar for incense. This vessel is unique because it is mentioned separately from the other Tabernacle furniture. We learn in the Talmud that Moshe actually received a secret from the Angel of Death: that incense could stop a plague. We see this later in the desert when Aaron runs into the crowd to stop the death toll. However, we must remember that Judaism is not a religion of magic elixirs. The Ramban explains that the altar was designed to bring honor to God. The incense stops a plague because it [...]
