Sin of the Golden Calf/2

Sin of the Golden Calf

Exegetical Approaches

Idolatry

Alternative to Worshiping 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. Yosef KaraShemot 32:1About R. Yosef Kara, Ibn EzraShemot Long Commentary 32:1Shemot Short Commentary 32:1About R. Avraham ibn Ezra,¹ R. Avraham b. HaRambamShemot 32:4-9Shemot 32:22Shemot 32:22About R. Avraham Maimonides, RalbagShemot Beur HaParashah 31:18About R. Levi b. Gershom,²

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

Water test

Role of Aharon

Sinning so soon after Matan Torah

3,000 killed

Representation of Hashem Through the Calf

Sources:Kuzari1:97About R. Yehuda HaLevi, RashbamShemot 32:1-4About R. Shemuel b. Meir³ RadakMelakhim I 12:28About R. David Kimchi,

Replacement of Moshe

Sources:R. Yosef Bekhor ShorShemot 32:1-6About R. Yosef Bekhor Shor, RambanShemot 32:1About R. Moshe b. Nachman, ShadalShemot 32:4Shemot 32:8-9Shemot 32:27About R. Shemuel David Luzzatto,

Replacement of the Mishkan

Sources:R. Eliezer AshkenaziMa'asei Hashem Ma'asei Torah 12About R. Eliezer Ashkenazi (Ma'asei Hashem),

¹ Ibn Ezra understands that Aharon's purpose was to worship Hashem, but some of the nation thought he created idolatry and worshiped it.

² Ralbagg seems to follow Ibn Ezra, that Aharon did not intend to make idolatry.

³ undefined