Va’etchanan

Parashat Va'etchanan 5784


The Sin of the Egel Hazahav

In Sefer Devarim Moshe Rabbeinu reminds klal yisrael about the sin of the egel hazahav (the golden calf). When we read the pesukim, many wonder how was it possible for bnei yisrael to create and worship avoda zara, and so soon after the Exodus and matan Torah? This was the generation that had witnessed first-hand the miracles of the ten makkot (plagues) in Mitzrayim, these were the same people who had seen the revelation of Hashem at keriyat yam suf and later at Har Sinai, how could this lofty and privileged generation stoop so low, a mere few weeks later?

Ibn Ezra writes that one should not think for a moment that the egel was intended as avoda zara. He points out that it was in fact Aharon Hakohen who implemented the egel hazahav, and it is inconceivable that Aharon, the leader and Kohen Gadol would have intentionally created avoda zara. Rather, he explains, the egel was intended to serve as an intermediate, and as a liaison between bnei yisrael and Hashem.  

Their Own Judgement

What we still need to discuss is the following. If, according to Ibn Ezra, the intention of klal yisrael in creating the egel was pure, why did Hashem punish them so harshly? And furthermore, in essence, what was the difference between the egel hazahav and the Mishkan, which also served as an intermediate and an abode for the shechina in this world? 

One approach that we find in the Acharonim is that the issue for which bnei yisrael were punished was their lack of accepting authority. True, Moshe Rabbeinu had not returned when they expected him to, and yes, bnei yisrael were feeling both lost and confused, but they should have approached Aharon Hakohen and asked him what to do, and not taken matters into their own hands and decided to create an egel. This was why they were punished so severely, not only for the terrible mistake that they had made, but for deciding themselves what to do instead of asking their leaders. 

It is interesting to note that the episode of the egel occurred less than two months after matan torah. Prior to matan torah, bnei yisrael had unanimously declared "na'aseh v'nishma" "we will do and we will listen", i.e., total subjugation to Hashem and his Torah. Unfortunately, bnei yisrael lost this attitude all too quickly, and this is evident in the episode of the egel hazahav. 

One commandment that we find mentioned in Parashat Va'etchanan is the instruction to do what is "straight and good" in the eyes of Hashem. This instruction may sound trivial but contains a profound lesson: We need to constantly strive to determine what is "straight and good - in Hashem's eyes''. Too often we decide what is the correct path of action, based on our understanding and rationalising. Instead, we need to focus on ascertaining that which Hashem considers "straight and good", and not just follow our instincts.

 May we all merit attaining this level and living lives of doing that which is straight and good – in Hashem's eyes. 

Shabbat Shalom! 

Rabbi Gad Bouskila