Rabbi's Message

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Dvar Torah for Parshah Ki Tisa

Dvar Torah for Sukkot

How Could They Have Done It?

How could the Jews have worshipped a calf? What were they thinking? It was something that was manufactured and they just finished forty days on Mt. Sinai.

Very often people look for a miracle worker or "holy man" to perform a miracle. The people who worshiped the golden calf didn't believe this could be a proper substitute. However, they were essentially looking to create a new leader who wouldn't be as strict or have as many requests of them and would still give them all the comforts they desired. Coming from Egypt, a land ripe with superstition, they actually believed that they could have everything given to them and they could also have leadership that would make no demands, just as a calf could make no demands of them. So perhaps it was a hint that they wanted a leader that would be fed, interested in nothing but gold (one who you paid a good salary and the people can do whatever they want with him/her). Perhaps that was what was indicated by the golden calf - a leader without any golden principles. That, perhaps, is what the golden calf was about.

The Extra Element

There is a very fascinating reference when describing the spices brought to the Beis Hamikdash. The eleventh spice was one that didn't smell good at all. You would think that all the spices would have smelled nice, wouldn't you? But there was one that was quite foul. So why was it included with the other spices? Furthermore, it is interesting to note, that if it wasn't included, the entire sacrifice wasn't accepted. This is quite intriguing.

The Mishna in Brachot says that anyone who says that only good people should stand before Hashem in prayer is saying something that is diametrically opposed to Torah. The Jewish concept is that everyone is desirable before G-d. Therefore, it says, that in every prayer we hope to include everyone, even those not on any spiritual level. The eleventh spice is symbolic of those who have very little to offer up in the ways of virtue and knowledge. Just as the eleventh spice doesn't seem to belong to the incense mixture, so, too there those who do not seem to belong in a synagogue. And, yet, it is those who we hope to have join with us during our times of prayer. The service before G-d is not an exclusive club. There are no inner and outer circles. The essential idea is that everyone should be included, particularly those who seem very far away. The eleventh spice will only smell good before G-d when they, too, are present. This is the meaning of the eleventh spice.

Chag Sameach!

Good Shabbos!