Golden Calf in Exodus 32

The biblical account of the episode of the Golden Calf in Exodus 32 is a poignant illustration of Israel's breaking its covenant with God, a glimpse of the breadth of God's wrath (which would have resulted in the destruction of the people), Moses' intercession on behalf of the nation, and a reconciliation of God's chosen people with Him. It is but one of many biblical incidents which demonstrate the continuing presence of Adam's sin in the lives of God's people and how that sin seeks to separate man from God, and it is further proof that God remains faithful to His covenant with Abraham to confer a special privilege upon the Hebrew people among all others whom He has created.

In constructing this paper, which will recount the story of the Golden Calf, examine the sin associated with its molding, and review the effects which were felt by Moses and the people, it will be of value to draw insights from a comparison of a combination of Jewish source material. This includes biblical translations and exegetical commentaries as well as some rabbinic and Midrashic literature.

On the third new moon after the Israelites had gone forth from the land of Egypt, on that very day, they entered the wilderness of Sinai. Having journeyed from Rephidim, they entered the wilderness of Sinai and encamped in the wilderness. Israel encamped there in front of the mountain . . . .

In this first encampment at Sinai, Moses was drawn into God's presence, where His

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thy people have dealt corruptly . . . . They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I have commanded them; they have made them a molten calf." Weissman depicts a more spirited discussion between Moses and the Lord: Hashem censured Moshe, saying, "When the Bnai Yisrael left Egypt, you wanted the airev rav to go along with them. I counseled against it, but you are good and modest and begged Me to accept them in spite of their unworthiness. Now this very airev rav have fabricated a Golden Calf and induced the Bnai Yisrael to sin!" "They might have made a Calf," answered Moshe, "but they certainly would not bow to it!" "They did," said Hashem. "Then they must have bowed without sacrificing to it," persisted Moshe. "They sacrificed to it, too," Hashem told him. "In that case they could not have accepted it as a deity," Moshe argued. "The airev rav said, 'These are your gods, Yisrael!'" Hashem contradicted him. Moshe was in a state of shock at this revelation. He did not know how he was expected to react in the face of such shattering news and was at a loss for words. But the Lord was not at a loss: "I see that this is a stiffnecked people. Now, let Me be, that My anger may blaze forth a

Category: Philosophy - G