Difference between revisions of "Sin of the Golden Calf/2"
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<category>Foreign God | <category>Foreign God | ||
<p>The nation viewed the calf as a god and worshiped it either together with or instead of Hashem.</p> | <p>The nation viewed the calf as a god and worshiped it either together with or instead of Hashem.</p> | ||
| − | <mekorot><multilink><a href="PhiloTheSpecialLawsIIIXXII-125" data-aht="source">Philo</a><a href="PhiloTheSpecialLawsIIIXXII-125" data-aht="source">The Special Laws, III XXII:125</a><a href="Philo" data-aht="parshan">About Philo</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="BavliSanhedrin63a" data-aht="source">Bavli | + | <mekorot><multilink><a href="PhiloTheSpecialLawsIIIXXII-125" data-aht="source">Philo</a><a href="PhiloTheSpecialLawsIIIXXII-125" data-aht="source">The Special Laws, III XXII:125</a><a href="Philo" data-aht="parshan">About Philo</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="BavliSanhedrin63a" data-aht="source">Bavli</a><a href="BavliSanhedrin63a" data-aht="source">Sanhedrin 63a</a><a href="BavliAvodahZarah53b" data-aht="source">Avodah Zarah 53b</a><a href="Talmud Bavli" data-aht="parshan">About the Bavli</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="TargumPseudo-JonathanShemot32-3-6" data-aht="source">Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a><a href="TargumPseudo-JonathanShemot32-3-6" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:3-6</a><a href="Targum Pseudo-Jonathan" data-aht="parshan">About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="PirkeiDeRabbiEliezer45" data-aht="source">Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer</a><a href="PirkeiDeRabbiEliezer45" data-aht="source">45</a><a href="Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer" data-aht="parshan">About Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RSaadiaGaonCommentaryShemot32-1-6" data-aht="source">R. Saadia Gaon</a><a href="RSaadiaGaonCommentaryShemot32-1-6" data-aht="source">Commentary Shemot 32:1-6</a><a href="R. Saadia Gaon" data-aht="parshan">About R. Saadia Gaon</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RashiShemot32-1-6" data-aht="source">Rashi</a><a href="RashiShemot32-1-6" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:1-6</a><a href="R. Shelomo Yitzchaki (Rashi)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="LekachTovBereshit32-1" data-aht="source">Lekach Tov</a><a href="LekachTovBereshit32-1" data-aht="source">Bereshit 32:1</a><a href="R. Toviah b. Eliezer (Lekach Tov)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Toviah b. Eliezer</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamShemot32-4-9" data-aht="source">R. Avraham b. HaRambam</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamShemot32-4-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:4-9</a><a href="RAvrahambHaRambamShemot32-22_2" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:22</a><a href="R. Avraham Maimonides" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham Maimonides</a></multilink>,</mekorot> |
| − | <point><b> | + | <point><b>"עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ"</b> – These sources understand the word " אֱלֹהִים" to mean god/s.  Rashi picks up on the plural form of the verb "יֵלְכוּ" to prove that the nation even desired multiple gods.<fn>See also R. Shimon b. Yoachai in Bavli Sanhedrin who learns the same form the plural from of the word "הֶעֱלוּךָ" in the subsequent statement, "אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם".</fn> However, they disagree whether, in building the calf, the nation was forsaking Hashem totally in favor of a new god, or if they were planning on worshiping the calf together with Hashem (שיתוף).  <br/> |
| − | + | <ul> | |
| + | <li>R. Yochanan in Bavli </li> | ||
| + | </ul></point> | ||
<point><b>"אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם"</b></point> | <point><b>"אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם"</b></point> | ||
<point><b>"חַג לַי"י מָחָר"</b></point> | <point><b>"חַג לַי"י מָחָר"</b></point> | ||
| + | <point><b>Why does Moshe's delay result in the sin?</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Offering sacrifices</b></point> | <point><b>Offering sacrifices</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Why a calf?</b></point> | <point><b>Why a calf?</b></point> | ||
| Line 25: | Line 28: | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
<category name="Graven Image"> | <category name="Graven Image"> | ||
| − | + | Graven Image of Hashem | |
<p>The people viewed the calf as a means through which they could worship Hashem.  They did not transgress the command of "you shall have no other gods besides me" but only the prohibition against making a graven image, even of Hashem Himself.</p> | <p>The people viewed the calf as a means through which they could worship Hashem.  They did not transgress the command of "you shall have no other gods besides me" but only the prohibition against making a graven image, even of Hashem Himself.</p> | ||
<mekorot><multilink><a href="Kuzari1-97" data-aht="source">Kuzari</a><a href="Kuzari1-97" data-aht="source">1:97</a><a href="R. Yehuda HaLevi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yehuda HaLevi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary20-19" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra,</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary20-19" data-aht="source">Shemot Long Commentary 20:19</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink> <multilink><a href="RadakMelakhimI12-28" data-aht="source">Radak</a><a href="RadakMelakhimI12-28" data-aht="source">Melakhim I 12:28</a><a href="R. David Kimchi (Radak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Kimchi</a></multilink>, Cassuto, Bazak</mekorot> | <mekorot><multilink><a href="Kuzari1-97" data-aht="source">Kuzari</a><a href="Kuzari1-97" data-aht="source">1:97</a><a href="R. Yehuda HaLevi" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yehuda HaLevi</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary20-19" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra,</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary20-19" data-aht="source">Shemot Long Commentary 20:19</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink> <multilink><a href="RadakMelakhimI12-28" data-aht="source">Radak</a><a href="RadakMelakhimI12-28" data-aht="source">Melakhim I 12:28</a><a href="R. David Kimchi (Radak)" data-aht="parshan">About R. David Kimchi</a></multilink>, Cassuto, Bazak</mekorot> | ||
| Line 32: | Line 35: | ||
<p>Bereft of Moshe's leadership and his connection to the Divine, the people looked for an alternative to guide them in the wilderness.</p> | <p>Bereft of Moshe's leadership and his connection to the Divine, the people looked for an alternative to guide them in the wilderness.</p> | ||
<mekorot><multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary32-1" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Long Commentary 32:1</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotShortCommentary32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Short Commentary 32:1</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:1-8</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-20" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:20</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-25-26" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:25-26</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot33-7" data-aht="source">Shemot 33:7</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot34-30" data-aht="source">Shemot 34:30</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanShemot32-1" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanShemot32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:1</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah31-18" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah31-18" data-aht="source">Shemot Beur HaParashah 31:18</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot32-1-7" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot32-1-7" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:1-7</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiTorah12" data-aht="source">R. Eliezer Ashkenazi</a><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiTorah11" data-aht="source">Ma'asei Hashem Ma'asei Torah 11</a><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiTorah12" data-aht="source">Ma'asei Hashem Ma'asei Torah 12</a><a href="R. Eliezer Ashkenazi (Ma'asei Hashem)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Eliezer Ashkenazi (Ma'asei Hashem)</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="ShadalShemot32-4" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalShemot32-4" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:4</a><a href="ShadalShemot32-8-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:8-9</a><a href="ShadalShemot32-27" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:27</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink>,</mekorot> | <mekorot><multilink><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary32-1" data-aht="source">Ibn Ezra</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotLongCommentary32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Long Commentary 32:1</a><a href="IbnEzraShemotShortCommentary32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot Short Commentary 32:1</a><a href="R. Avraham ibn Ezra" data-aht="parshan">About R. Avraham ibn Ezra</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-1" data-aht="source">R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:1-8</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-20" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:20</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot32-25-26" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:25-26</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot33-7" data-aht="source">Shemot 33:7</a><a href="RYosefBekhorShorShemot34-30" data-aht="source">Shemot 34:30</a><a href="R. Yosef Bekhor Shor" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RambanShemot32-1" data-aht="source">Ramban</a><a href="RambanShemot32-1" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:1</a><a href="R. Moshe b. Nachman (Ramban, Nachmanides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Moshe b. Nachman</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah31-18" data-aht="source">Ralbag</a><a href="RalbagShemotBeurHaParashah31-18" data-aht="source">Shemot Beur HaParashah 31:18</a><a href="R. Levi b. Gershom (Ralbag, Gersonides)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Levi b. Gershom</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="AbarbanelShemot32-1-7" data-aht="source">Abarbanel</a><a href="AbarbanelShemot32-1-7" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:1-7</a><a href="R. Yitzchak Abarbanel" data-aht="parshan">About R. Yitzchak Abarbanel</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiTorah12" data-aht="source">R. Eliezer Ashkenazi</a><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiTorah11" data-aht="source">Ma'asei Hashem Ma'asei Torah 11</a><a href="MaaseiHashemMaaseiTorah12" data-aht="source">Ma'asei Hashem Ma'asei Torah 12</a><a href="R. Eliezer Ashkenazi (Ma'asei Hashem)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Eliezer Ashkenazi (Ma'asei Hashem)</a></multilink>, <multilink><a href="ShadalShemot32-4" data-aht="source">Shadal</a><a href="ShadalShemot32-4" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:4</a><a href="ShadalShemot32-8-9" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:8-9</a><a href="ShadalShemot32-27" data-aht="source">Shemot 32:27</a><a href="R. Shemuel David Luzzatto (Shadal)" data-aht="parshan">About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto</a></multilink>,</mekorot> | ||
| + | <point><b>"עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ"</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Polemical motivations</b></point> | <point><b>Polemical motivations</b></point> | ||
<point><b>Tehillim 106:19-20</b></point> | <point><b>Tehillim 106:19-20</b></point> | ||
| + | </category> | ||
| + | <category>Combination | ||
| + | <p>As the nation was not a homogenous group, it is possible that while some people viewed the calf as an alternative god, others believed that it was simply a tangible representation of Hashem and yet others looked to it to guide them in their travels.</p> | ||
</category> | </category> | ||
</approaches> | </approaches> | ||
</page> | </page> | ||
</aht-xml> | </aht-xml> | ||
Version as of 06:14, 23 February 2016
Sin of the Golden Calf
Exegetical Approaches
Foreign God
The nation viewed the calf as a god and worshiped it either together with or instead of Hashem.
Sources:Philo, Bavli, Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, R. Saadia Gaon, Rashi, Lekach Tov, R. Avraham b. HaRambam,
"עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ" – These sources understand the word " אֱלֹהִים" to mean god/s. Rashi picks up on the plural form of the verb "יֵלְכוּ" to prove that the nation even desired multiple gods.1 However, they disagree whether, in building the calf, the nation was forsaking Hashem totally in favor of a new god, or if they were planning on worshiping the calf together with Hashem (שיתוף).
- R. Yochanan in Bavli
"אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם"
"חַג לַי"י מָחָר"
Why does Moshe's delay result in the sin?
Offering sacrifices
Why a calf?
Water test
Breaking of the Luchot
Role of Aharon
Sinning so soon after Matan Torah
3,000 killed
Biblical parallels
People's perception of Moshe
Graven Image of Hashem
The people viewed the calf as a means through which they could worship Hashem. They did not transgress the command of "you shall have no other gods besides me" but only the prohibition against making a graven image, even of Hashem Himself.
Guide in the Wilderness
Bereft of Moshe's leadership and his connection to the Divine, the people looked for an alternative to guide them in the wilderness.
"עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים אֲשֶׁר יֵלְכוּ לְפָנֵינוּ"
Polemical motivations
Tehillim 106:19-20
Combination
As the nation was not a homogenous group, it is possible that while some people viewed the calf as an alternative god, others believed that it was simply a tangible representation of Hashem and yet others looked to it to guide them in their travels.
