Sin of the Golden Calf/2

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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:PhiloThe Special Laws, III XXII:125About Philo, Bavli SanhedrinSanhedrin 63aAbout the Bavli, Targum Pseudo-JonathanShemot 32:3-6About Targum Pseudo-Jonathan, Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer45About Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, RashiShemot 32:1-6About R. Shelomo Yitzchaki, Lekach TovBereshit 32:1About R. Toviah b. Eliezer, R. Avraham b. HaRambamShemot 32:4-9Shemot 32:22About R. Avraham Maimonides, 1
Why does Moshe's delay result in the sin?
"עֲשֵׂה לָנוּ אֱלֹהִים"
"אֵלֶּה אֱלֹהֶיךָ יִשְׂרָאֵל אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱלוּךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם"
"חַג לַי"י מָחָר"
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.

Sources:Kuzari1:97About R. Yehuda HaLevi, Ibn Ezra,Shemot Long Commentary 20:19About R. Avraham ibn Ezra RadakMelakhim I 12:28About R. David Kimchi, Cassuto, Bazak

Guide in the Wilderness

Replacement of the Mishkan

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