Ki Tissa Commentary
Responsible Spending
We can learn a great deal from how the Israelites acquire and spend their money in this Torah portion.
Shabbat as an Anchor
Ki Tisa highlights how Shabbat is a gift to the Jewish people and the world.
Our Golden Calf: When Tzedakah Is Not Righteous
The incident of the Golden Calf challenges us to consider how we respond to tzedakah that comes from questionable sources.
Positive Communal Action
The collection of the half-shekel teaches us the importance of working together as a community.
Go Down, Moses!
The incident of the Golden Calf teaches each of us the importance of taking responsibility for our actions and inspires us to make our communities homes of sacredness.
The Idol Of Complacency
The prohibition against making an idol warns us not to fix our image of God, but rather to allow our conception of God to evolve.
Negotiating A Relationship With God
In constructing the Golden Calf, the Israelites attempted to create a mediated, safe relationship with an awesome and consuming God.
Tzedakah And Jewish Education
Our communal responsibility to ensure the immortality of the Jewish people depends on our commitment to supporting Jewish education.
Veiling And Unveiling
Moses was sensitive to the needs of the people, changing his appearance in order to enhance their ability to communicate with him.