B"H

Friday, Adar 21, 5781 / March 5, 2021

This Shabbat we read the third of the four special Torah readings at this time of the year.  Two readings are read before Purim (Shkalim & Zachor) and two between Purim and Pesach (Parah & Hachodesh).

We remove two Torahs from the ark this Shabbat.  In the first we read the weekly Torah portion, Ki Tisa.  In the second Torah we read Parshat Parah – the laws of the Red Heifer. It is about the spiritual purification process for someone who became impure as a result of coming in contact with a dead body, thus, prohibited from entering the Holy Temple. The Red Heifer was to atone for the Golden Calf.

In the weekly Torah portion, Ki Tisa, we read about the sin of the Golden Calf which the Jewish people made in the desert. Moshe broke the Tablets when he came down Mount Sinai and witnessed them worshipping the idol. Moshe went back up the mountain to pray for their forgiveness which G-d granted. He told Moshe to bring up another set of Tablets and He once again engraved the Ten Commandments.

Q.  How long after the Giving of the Torah did they make the Golden Calf?

A.  Forty days later.  

Q.  How many times did Moshe go up Mount Sinai and for how long did he stay up?

A.  Moshe went up three times. The first time was when G-d gave the Torah. He stayed on the mountain for forty days. He went up again and stayed for forty days praying for forgiveness for the sin of the Golden Calf. Then G-d told him to bring up two new Tablets. He went up with the Tablets for another forty days and came down with the Second Tablets. He was up for a total of 120 days.

Q. When did Moshe come down with the First Tablets and when with the Second Tablets?

A.   The First Tablets on the 17th day of Tammuz.  The Second Tablets on Yom Kippur.

Q.   What was the difference between the first and second Tablets? 

A.  The First Tablets were completely the work of G-d.  The Tablets and the engraving were both Divine.  The Second set of Tablets Moshe brought up with him and G-d engraved His writing in them.

What’s interesting is that the First Tablets were completely G-d made, yet, they didn’t last. The second ones were a blend of Moshe’s work and G-d’s work and that had an everlasting effect. The lesson is that G-d gave mankind the ability to perfect His work. Our input is very important

Q. What happened to the broken tablets?

A.  They were placed in the Holy Ark together with the Second Tablets.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montrealcandle lighting time: 5:29 / Shabbat ends: 6:32