This idea is so different from how we are usually taught about חטא העגל. What other ways do Mefarshim understand the narrative of חטא העגל?
Some ideas are:
- Why exactly did Bnei Yisroel make the idol?
- Did Bnei Yisroel intend for it to be an idol?
- What did Bnei Yisroel think happened to Hashem? Did they intend to replace Hashem
- What Bnei Yisroel think happened to Moshe?
- Why did Aharon go along with it?
- Why a calf of all animals?
- Why does the pasuk say כִּי־זֶ֣ה ׀ מֹשֶׁ֣ה? What do we learn from the זֶ֣ה?
According to Chabad.org, at this time Bnei Yisroel was mentally preparing to enter Eretz Yisroel. They knew that most nations had kings and physical gods(idols). We know from navi that the nation wanted kings to have someone to look up to, but it was really a way for them to be like the other nations. Perhaps when making the idol, Bnei Yisroel saw this as an opportunity to be like the other nations and have and Idol or a physical God. In addition, it is known that the nation doesn't have the best relationship with Hashem, so they used Moshe as a source of communication. But now that Moshe is no where to be found, rather then the nation finally speaking to Hashrm through Tefillah, it was easier for them to just create an idol.
ReplyDeleteRashi believes that Moshe said that after 40 days he would return to benei yisrael. After those fourth days, Moshe had not shown. Benei Yisrael were in a state of confusion and desired something or someone to lead them from Egypt to Israel. They needed to appoint another leader to replace Moshe.
ReplyDeleteTanach.org states that Bnei Yisrael thought that by making the egel Hashem would be closer to them spiritually, and the idol, as they thought, was just another form of God. This answer makes sense to me because why else would Bnei Yisrael make an idol after they saw all of Hashems miracles?
ReplyDeleteAccording to Rabbi Meir Bendir, Bnei Yisrael thought if they build the עגל, it would protect them from the potential עין הרע from dangerous outsiders. I agree with opinion because it's so logical and realistic.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Yissachar Dov Rubin writes in Sefer Talelei Orot, the sin of Bnei Yisrael was that they violated a prohibition of the Torah which forbade to make a statue and claimed it had divine powers. However, Bnei Yisrael believed they were justified in what they were doing. They saw that the other nations, even if they believed in the concept of God, they would worship statues or images in order to relate to something. Therefore, when Moshe did not come down from the mountain, Bnei Yisrael decided to built an object to worship to which they could relate in the same manner as the other nations did. They had no intention of denying Hashem.
ReplyDeleteAs we learned this year in Jewish philosophy, (rabbi goldmintz) people began worshiping the stars because it was created by god and through that they were really worshiping god. But as time went on false navis tricked people and they built temples and that's how false worshiping started. It's possible that beni Israel made the idol because they were looking for a connection to god and they thought Moshe died. But after they made the idol itself they started worshiping the idol and got carried away. They were using the idol as an intermediate with hashem, just as Moshe was, but got carried away. Their original intentions weren't for evil, just as what we learned in Jewish philosophy this year, but it ended up turning into something else, עבודה זרה.
ReplyDeleteAccording to a Midrash Bnei Yisroel decided to worship a golden calf because that is what they saw in Egypt. When Bnei Yisroel thought that Moshe had dies on Mount Senia they became panicked and nervous. They decided to resort back to their time in Egypt because that is what they knew. This does not excuse them for their sin, but it explains their rational. Their sin required atonement because it was planned out and they should have resorted to Hashem in a time of need instead of idols. This midrash can teach us that no matter what is going on in our life and how stressed out we, we must turn to Has he because He can truly help us.
ReplyDeleteRashi says that Moshe said that after 40 days he would return to benei yisrael. After those 40 days Moshe didn't come down from Har Sinai. Benei Yisrael were confused and wanted a leader to lead them from Egypt to Israel.
ReplyDeleteAccording rebeinu eliezer cohen bnei yisrael did not intend for it to be an idol but were so frightened after their experience at bar Sinai that they were frantic and paranoid for a while after. So they immediately they assumed the worst and we're convinced they would need a new leader.
ReplyDeleteHannah
R. Saadia Gaon says that Bnei Israel actually betrayed Hashem. He says that they saw the golden calf as a god and that they did the sin of Avoda Zara (belief in idolatry), while trying to defend only Aharon's role. The Kuzaritries to minimize both Aharon and the people's sin, portraying them as having positive, misguided intentions. The nation wanted and tried to create a tangible object which could represent Hashem and to whom they could direct their worship.
ReplyDeleteAccording to chabad.org says that moshe told them he would return to after 40 days. After 40 days past Bnei yesroel was anxiously awaiting his return, but he didn't return. They were very confused and wanted to return to Egypt where they had a leader.
ReplyDeleteLiat Silver:
ReplyDeleteThe Sefer Amudei Hod color codes the language and structure of different Chumash sections. When it comes to Chet Haegel, he is able to find hints at Avodah Zarah while still seeing that the texts implies that the situation might've just gone out of control. His verdict is that Moshe Rabeinu treats Bnei Yisroel like an Isha Sotah. An Isha Sotah is a women who claims she is not adulteress even though her behavior may imply otherwise. This is probably true for Bnei Yisroel as well, their behavior apperas to be Avodah Zarah but their intention probably wasn't.