Parshat Ki Tisa – March 1, 2024 / 22 Adar, 5784

Parshah Ki Tisa contains what I would consider a textbook description of mass hysteria and panic. Moses ascended Mount Sinai and “…delayed to come down from the mount” (Exodus 32:1) while he was receiving the commandments. The Rabbis have often claimed that Moses told the people of Israel that he would be back from Mount Sinai on the fortieth day. In actuality, Moses meant that he would descend from Sinai after spending the entirety of 40 days on the mount. On that fortieth day, the people of Israel became collectively alarmed. Their leader Moses, who was to guide them, was assumed dead or missing. Without Moses to forge the path, the people became anxiety-ridden, and in what appeared to be panic, demanded that a tangible god be made evident. Aaron was left in charge of the people of Israel in Moses’ absence, and was put in a difficult situation. 

“‘Up, make us a god who shall go before us.” (Exodus 32:1) said the Israelites to Aaron. According to the Torah, Aaron was the person who actually took the gold of the people and sculpted it into the infamous Golden Calf (eigel ha-zahav), which the Israelites began to worship. If one is to read the Torah in a cursory manner, it might seem as if Aaron, such an honorable man, was strangely complicit in this idolatrous act. According to the Midrash, and a closer look at the Torah’s text, Aaron was likely looking to halt this idol-building by the Israelites. Aaron said to the people “‘Break off the golden rings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me’” (Exodus 32:2). Aaron thought this request would go unheeded, as people were likely to balk at the idea of giving up the gold in their own ears. To Aaron’s amazement, the people responded to his request for gold expeditiously and in large amounts. The people literally broke the golden rings that were in their ears to provide Aaron with material for idol-building.” According to The Rabbis, the fickle nature of humankind was on display here. The same people who gave their gold and silver to the Sanctuary were so quick to give this same material for idolatrous reasons. All of this occurred just weeks after G-d told the people “Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image” (Exodus 20:4). 

At this point in the Parshah for the week, we might be compelled to ask why. Why did the Israelites so quickly turn anxiety and fear into full-blown panic and hysterical dancing at a bovine sculpture? If we look at this issue in the context of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, there is a psychology that underlies this type of behavior. Steven Taylor, a clinical psychologist at the University of British Columbia, claims that buying many things during a time of crisis gives people some sense of control. If you remember not so long ago, paying any attention to the news, you are likely aware that it was close to impossible in some places to find toilet paper, hand sanitizer, and antibacterial cleaners. People wanted to feel that they had some control in what really was an unpredictable world. Moses had led the people of Israel out of the horrors of Egypt, and many had likely hung on his words with bated breath.  To put it into today’s terms…When Moses behaved in an unexpected manner, people “panic-bought” a golden calf. Yes, the money all went to Aaron, not to Target or Costco, but the psychology is similar. Throw your money at something to ease your anxiety. If I am stocked up on toilet paper and hand sanitizer, perhaps I will regain a semblance of control during these very uncertain times. If I throw all of my gold at the building of an idol, I will have something tangible to pray to, and my anxiety will reduce. 

If we can take anything away from this discussion, we must remember that Moses did return to the people of Israel, and G-d was always there. What kind of damage do we do when in a panic? Yes, the reality of a pandemic is very scary, as is the idea that our consistent “Moses” has disappeared. The unknown can be terrifying, and many tend to seek comfort in tangibility. Sometimes we buy toilet paper, and sometimes we buy a golden calf to dance around. We must remember that times have been uncertain before, and G-d has never left. Mishkan T’filah tells us on page 57 that, “when anxiety makes us tremble…we look inward for the answer to our prayers. There may we find You…” 

During difficult and uncertain times, we can be reminded of this blessing:: “Baruch atah Adonai, asher b’yado nefesh kol chai v’ruach kol b’sar ish” Praised are you, Adonai, whose hands hold the soul of every living creature.” So, remember to work to keep panic at bay, and remember that building a golden calf in haste will not truly resolve our anxieties. When we frantically search outward for peace or peace of mind, we may do damage during the bedlam. May we be blessed to look upward and inward for peace…to slow down, to think, to feel, to breathe. In that breath, in that ruach…God is absolutely there. Don’t wait for Moses. Don’t panic. You’ve got this.

Shabbat Shalom

– Rabbi Josh Gray