Miller's Musings Parshas Ki Siso: Confused, Considered, Compassioned

בס''ד

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This week’s Miller’s Musings is sponsored by Max and Leah Cohen

Quote of the Week: “There are two primary choices in life: to accept conditions as they exist or accept the responsibility for changing them.”

MILLER’S MUSINGS

כי תשאפרשת 

Confused, Considered, Compassioned

There is no question that they had entered uncharted waters and were experiencing confusing times.  Hashem had appeared to them at Sinai, in a display of unparalleled connection with the Creator.  They had seen things that no mortal man had ever witnessed and were surely still reeling from these intense moments.  Then Moshe disappears back up the mountain and does not seem to have come back at the predetermined time for his return.  Added to this, the Soton confuses things further by showing them an image of Moshe’s coffin.  One can surely understand how perplexing and troubling this must have been for the Jewish people.  In view of this, were they truly to blame for making the wrong choices at that time and creating the golden calf?  Could they be held accountable when even their own eyes pointed towards an uncertain and potentially distressing future?

Trying to fathom the rationale behind the golden calf is something that has puzzled many of our great Sages.  Some explain it to have arisen from a desire to create some sort of connection with Hashem, now that Moshe was gone.  Not a betrayal of Hashem, but an unlicensed and illegitimate attempt at forming a substitute for their previous intermediary, Moshe.  Yet within their efforts we see something of their real motivations.  It was the nature of their conduct that betrayed their true, perhaps innermost motives, that were lacking. For if their actions were truly driven solely by being distraught at the news of Moshe’s demise, why did it lead to a celebration around their new link to Hashem, rather than a display of mourning for their loss.  Imagine for a moment Moshe’s perspective; understanding their behaviour as a response to his death and seeing the dancing and merriment that it produced.  Now, pause and marvel at Moshe’s reaction.  When he could have felt justifiably aggrieved, hurt and angry, he was instead the Jewish people’s greatest advocate and ultimately their savior when he could have left them to be eradicated by Hashem.  He understood his responsibility as a leader and did whatever was necessary, in an act of totally selfless concern for all others.  

We are undeniably ourselves facing a time of uncertainty and upheaval.  It has perhaps never been so clear Who is in control and Who decides our fate.  When world leaders seem to be somewhat fumbling in the dark and world powers are crumbling before our eyes, there is little we can do but place our trust in Hashem and try to be the best we can be.  But in addition to this, we must follow Moshe’s example and do whatever is best for each other, even if this may be at some personal loss.  We must take responsibility for our own actions and think how they will impact those around us, trying to do whatever we can to ensure all are safe as well as ourselves. It is not a time for panic, but a time for considered action.  And care for each other must be part of our equation at all times.  We would surely want that consideration from others.

*May Shabbos bring serenity, health and happiness, all under Hashem’s protection*

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