Parashat ki tissa

summary

Just to remind ourselves, Moses is still in the cloud at the top of Mt Sinai as we begin parashat Ki Tissa (Exodus 30:11-34:35). God instructs Moses to collect a half-shekel from every person over the age of 20when he takes a census of the community. He is told to make a copper container, fill it with water and place it in the sanctuary that the priests might wash themselves before approaching the altar; he is also to create a special anointing oil for consecrating the furniture of the mikdash.

Moses is told that the sanctuary furnishings, including the priestly garments, are to be made under the supervision of Bezalel, a skilled artisan.

Moses is commanded to remind the people that in observing the Sabbath they celebrate the covenant between themselves and God.

Now, the Torah text shifts back to Moses. He is given the two tablets containing God’s commandments. Forty days have passed, and below the people of Israel approach Aaron, requesting that he make them a golden calf to worship. Aaron agrees. God tells Moses what has happened, threatening to destroy the Israelites, but Moses pleads for the people and saves them from God’s anger.

When Moses sees the idol they have built, however, he shatters the tablets God has given him. Entering the camp, Moses also destroys the golden idol and punishes those who have been disloyal to God. Fearful that God will abandon the people, Moses asks for proof that God will continue to lead them. God’s Presence (the Kavod Adonai, later called Shekhinah in rabbinic literature) is shown to Moses as assurance that neither he nor the Israelites will be abandoned. Afterwards, God directs Moses to care two new tablets and return to Mount Sinai. God commands the Israelites to observe Pesach, Shavuot and the Sabbath. When after the second forty days and nights, Moses returns to the people, his face his bright red, radiant from speaking with God; so he covers it with a veil.

commentary and culture

A few years ago I wrote a ‘modern midrash’ that wove in classical midrashim to create a possible understanding of the characters – Bezalel and Moses – and their relationship.

Bezalel sat in his tent gazing at the latest design and technology tablets he had bought from Midianite traders who did business with Moses' family, thanks to the good relations established by Jethro. Bezalel was so engrossed in a revolutionary cupboard system design that he barely noticed his father, Uri, a rather slight and quiet man come in to him. "My son, Moses is calling for you." Bezalel looked up in surprise and struggled to come to terms with his father's words. Why me? The last time Moses wanted to see me it was to admonish me for my new cloak being too garish. Then there was the time he had a go at me for not standing behind grandpa Hur when he confronted the people who wanted to build that stupid calf. Sure I tried to say something but that mob was so worked-up, would Moses have wanted me dead as well as grandpa. What is it with him these days?

Saying this he still got up and left the tent, slightly apprehensive about another dressing-down from Moses. There from afar he could see Moses sitting on a rock peering up the mountain that only too recently had been consumed by fire, lightening, the deafening roar of a thousand winds, and the fear of God. Even he had not been sure that Moses would return. He was therefore rather taken aback to find Moses turn to watch him approach, grinning ear-to-ear. "Good to see you looking decidedly dashing today," Moses chuckled. "I remember that cloak being rather the rage a few years back when I was a kid in Egypt. How times come around. Now, Bezalel, my boy, why were you not at our discussions yesterday?" "Why are you always picking on me," Bezalel exclaimed losing his cool, "All those fuddy-duddies who never let me get a word in edgeways and think they know more about the law than I do, just because I am younger than them. The least they could do is listen." "Patience now, Bezalel. They will listen soon. I have a job for you. Now, when I was on the mountain, God told me that you should be the one to build the Tabernacle, Ark and vessels we were talking about yesterday…yup, I told you they would listen to you at sometime."

Moses broke into laughter at the sight of Bezalel's face but he soon spoke seriously again, "Make an Ark, vessels and the Tabernacle as only you can." Bezalel considered the request and countered, "Moses, my teacher, as a rule a person first builds a house and then brings their vessels into it; but you say, 'Make me an Ark, vessels and the Tabernacle' The vessels I make - where shall I put them? Perhaps the Holy One said to you, 'Make the Tabernacle, Ark, and vessels?'" Moses nodded slowly, noting his mistake for reversing the order of God's command. "One day I am being corrected by my father-in-law, Jethro, another by you my junior. You are truly wise; and I blessed by such people around me both young and old. Bezalel, You may well have been in the shadow of God (in Hebrew: betzel El!), and so you know!!"

A perfect example of how generations can work together! Moses the greatest leader of our people, humbly listening to the advise of those older and younger than himself. Jethro, to my mind the first management consultant in history, provided the voice of experience. Having been a priest in what was a more developmentally advanced cultic system, he reflects on the lessons learnt and passes it on to a new generation of a people with a long history but in the process of change. Moses listens and learns not from an Israelite but someone slightly removed from the day-to-day grind and issues of his leadership.

Bezalel, I have imagined, as a young whipper-snapper in tune with the latest fashions and leading-edge technologies. He provides the sharp thinking backed-up with real practical skills that a midrash found in the Talmud thinks Moses obviously lacked. Bezalel, our Torah portion tells, had the divine knowledge and skills of the ultimate Craftsman. What Moses did not lack though, was what one might call 'the divine inspiration' to accept advice. Is it a surprise therefore, of what we hear next: God's command that the Sabbath be "throughout the ages as a covenant for all times." Was the Sabbath even in those days a time for generations to come together, to be as one, as our Shabbats have up until…well hasn't life changed over the past few decades!

I know that Friday nights are still observed as often as possible in many of our households but the possibility does not seem to work out as easily as it used to. Families do not live so close together, certainly not as a tribe. Holidays are more easily obtainable. More of the family are working and studying: from first job through career change and post-family career to post-retirement work, and from the pressures of schoolwork through MBA's and re-skilling, to the University of the Third Age. An advanced technological world does not necessarily help facilitate a simple life.

Even if we are located next to each other, is it possible to diarise for all these individual lifestyles. And individual lifestyles they truly are - no means a preserve of the young anymore as the marketing gurus focus on the ‘greying population.’ We all have so many opportunities. However, in the end do we ever have time to fulfil all our dreams? My concern for the incredible range of possibilities that we have is: How does it all hang together? Do we eventually derive any meaning from it all? Or does our increasing isolation into the individual secular potential of our lives leave us in the end lonely, without real family and friends time, without ever really belonging to any community, and in the end, wondering why on earth Creation did not allow for more than 24 hours in a day?

Rebbe Nachman of Brezlov once said: Steer clear of sophistication and cleverness; they add nothing to coming closer to God. All you need is simplicity, sincerity, and faith. Recently, I heard Danny Siegel the wonderful poet - and now I have found out - social action guru give me a tip when I was splurging out ideas left right and centre in my enthusiasm. He said, "KISS: Keep it simple Shimon!"