WHO ME?
When a group does something wrong, who is to blame?
The Mishkan is referred to as Mishkan HaEidus, the Sanctuary of testimony.[1] What was the testimony? The fact that Hashem brought His Presence to rest amidst Klal Yisrael served to testify that Hashem veeter, overlooked, the incident of the Golden Calf for them.[2]
This seems to contradict another statement: “Whoever says Hashem overlooks, will have his life overlooked.”[3] Hashem does not disregard anything. The proof is from Hashem’s declaration that whenever He would make an accounting of the sins of Bnei Yisrael, a bit of the sin of the Golden Calf would be reckoned. There is no punishment that comes upon Israel which does not contain some retribution for that sin.[4]
On one hand it states that the sin of the Golden Calf is overlooked. On the other hand, it states clearly that it is not overlooked. How can this be resolved?
Klal Yisrael stood at Mt. Sinai as a bride with Hashem as the groom. The behavior of Klal Yisrael violated that relationship. The episode of the Golden Calf was comprised of two sins:
- Idol worship
- Being unfaithful
Three punishments were meted out to those who had sinned:
- If there were witnesses and a warning was issued to them – they were killed by the sword.
- If there were witnesses, but no warning had been issued – they died in a plague.
- If there were neither witnesses nor warning – they died a death similar to a Sotah, the wayward woman who acted in an unfaithful manner. They were tested with waters and if found guilty, their stomachs become distended and they died.[5]
It is noteworthy, that regarding these three it states:
- And from the am, people, they fell that day by sword.[6]
- Hashem afflicted the am with a plague.[7]
- Bnei Yisrael were given to drink.[8]
The first two punishments were meted out to the am. The third was to Bnei Yisrael. The am refers to the eirev rav, those who joined with Klal Yisrael, but were lacking in commitment and devotion. Their transgression was idol worship. Bnei Yisrael, however, did not commit that sin. They had sought a leader to replace Moshe, figuring that he was no longer returning to them. They wanted to serve Hashem. Their desire to have a religious figure to guide them was something that they should not have taken upon themselves without Divine direction. That was a violation to the relationship with Hashem. They therefore were given the waters to drink. It led to their death if they had contemplated idol worship or if they could have prevented others from sinning.
The eirev rav did not drink the waters, since they did not have the special relationship with Hashem. Their sin of idol worship was severe. Punishment was called for. The effects of that sin lasts through the generations. It is something that can not be overlooked. Just as the sin of Adam and Chava eating the forbidden fruit has lasting ramifications, so too does this transgression.
With regards to the sin of Bnei Yisrael of being unfaithful, Hashem did overlook. The sin had caused a great distance between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, yet the Presence of Hashem returned in their midst.[9] This is clear evidence that Hashem looked aside somewhat.
There are three categories of those who had sinned and the punishments they earned. All the sinners were eliminated. Why then is everybody else suffering to this day? The question goes deeper. It is after their punishments that we find Moshe Rabeinu davening that Klal Yisrael be spared. What did they do wrong?
We are one people. We are responsible one for the other.
When we see others sin, do we turn aside thinking – to each his own, it’s none of my business, or do we consider, is there anything I can do to get him on track?
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Hershel D. Becker
[1] Pekudei 38:21
[2] Rashi Pekudei 38:21, Midrash Tanchuma Pekudei 5
[3] Midrash Tanchuma Ki Sisa 26
[4] Rashi Ki Sisa 32:34
[5] Rashi Ki Sisa 32:20, Yoma 66b
[6] Ki Sisa 32:28
[7] Ki Sisa 32:35
[8] Ki Sisa 32:20
[9] From Mishulchan Rav Eliyahu Baruch Pekudei pp. 388-392