Ki Tisa in a Nutshell

Perhaps it is just not mentioned, as the golden calf and the sins were more important to address than the glow of his face.

Perhaps it takes more than 40 days for the face to glow. Reply

He would have used Moses and possibly few holy others like Joshua, for example, as a continuity of Torah recipient! Reply

Hashem can and did say, that HE would make Moses are greater nation than they.

I find the text in Exodus 32, having a many fold meaning,
1) The LORD displeasure at the SIN of the House of Jacob/Israel but, more important that we today, can understand the rage we create by our actions, even though the consequences are seldom felt. The more we rebel the worse the punishments are, though not what we actually deserve. A GOD of mercy and compassion, b"H.

2) Moses needed a new job. That of being Shepard to the Flock of Israel. At the bush, Moses was only to bring the Children to this mountain, per the requirement of the Lord. The people chose Moses to continue in the statement Exodus 20:15. But in Exodus 32, Moses chooses to defend the Stiff neck people. He has found a new purpose. Reply

Good question Joel. Perhaps a better question might be, Was he punished?

I see a different set of issues. If Aaron is destroyed the same as the other idolaters, what will be the effect on Moses? Where would the loss of Aaron leave the Children of Israel? Aaron is Moses's voice, even his prophet, would not the loss become devastating.

Did not Moses defend all of them from 'H' wrath by ignoring HIS statement and asking: Wherefore should the Egyptians speak? Reply

Aaron's intention was to delay them as long as possible until Moses came back. If he had just protested it, they probably would have killed him. He didn't expect the quick response of people readily giving up their gold jewelry.
He retained the High Priest status and was given the special mitzvah of lighting the menorah. Reply

There is an interpretation, offered by Nachmanides among possibly others, that the people were not looking for a replacement for G-d, rather they wanted a replacement for Moses. In this interpretation, the Golden Calf was meant to be an intermediary between the people and G-d, as Moses was. A careful reading and translation of the text gives credence to this interpretation and suggests that maybe what Aaron did was not as grave a sin as it appears. Reply

If there is not punishment for wrong doing why have laws? Reply

Yes, for some events.
From the Written TORAH, If a man steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it, he shall pay five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep. Exodus 21.

I tell a story to explain the problem as this: You a man, have spent your life surviving as a thief. You marry, have children, you are still stealing. One day you realize that stealing which harms others. You stop stealing, and strive to teach your children not to steal. By many people opinions, this would be good.

However, the harm done to others is not undone. Over time the harm may have even multiplied. What was stolen, was the future of that family. Then we must consider your children, for they have watched you since birth. Now you tell them not to steal, because it is wrong but, when the opportunity rises or they are having difficulties, they will turn back to the way you survived, STEALING. It may take three or four generations before someone comes along and in their heart, feel stealing is wrong. Reply

In short, each person is responsible for their actions. If you learn to be bad as a child, you will usually continue as you have been shown. Hence evil begets evil. Caution, even taught righteousness, we can given in to bad choices and sin. The G'D of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, is a forgiving G'D. So ultimately each of us must choose and act righteously for our own souls,

This is what makes us a LIGHT unto others. Reply

what was the sin even Reply

Check out the Mishnah: Seder Nezikin. Some good insights on law. Reply

Sounds reasonable. Reply

Thank you! You too!! Reply

Your questions seem to represent that you already have your answer in your head. Moses was not commanded to kill anyone. In fact it was the L'RD that was declared He would 'My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them, and with Moses, make a greater nation than these people. To start over with Moses, indicates that only One is needed at fulfill the remnant promise.

Moses ignored the L'RD's Comment and used logic to defend the Hebrews. But upon seeing for himself, Moses then defends the L'RD by slaying the Idol Worshipers, which broke the first two Commandments.

In asking for forgiveness, Moses is told 'Whosoever hath sinned against Me, him will I blot out of My book.",Hence what we call the Book Of Life. No forgiveness granted for those sins. The L'RD did not accept Moses If/Then negotiating statement. Reply

feels oddly familiar.. Reply

Very strangely word response. Have you carefully read Exodus 32? How many people are in the camp? Did Moses call for those on the side of the LORD to him? If you are not FOR the LORD then you are against the LORD. I suggest that you read it very carefully, and I will discuss with you then your confusions. b"H. Shalom. Reply

Baruch Hashem!! Very well said. Reply

Is it so? I would like to challenge some of it if I may? I will do this though by way of three questions, because although three is a crowd, I have a good feel about things done 3 times. Maybe its a tradition thing. Or maybe its a bit like Chinese whispers in that although I am not from a knowledgeable Torah family (not by choice I mean the most evil people wouldn't refuse to know a trick or two from the word of G-d) we have picked up a thing or 2 hence my 3 questions follow from the above:
1. Don't exonerate women off the hook so fast, How do you think the men got that way?
2. There are people who suffer etc due to others sins. Namely Moses, Joshua son of nun and what about christ and come on what about Joseph?
3. It is not always the instigators/perpetrators of idol worship who are to blame. Rather, it is those who feel desire to be privy to idol worship. In this way we can understand G-ds authorisation of evil and we don't need to blame goodness for the way we are. God satiates. Reply

Its great to respect good leadership but please be aware that it is also easy to fall into a trap of false humility. That is to say that it is easy to rest on our laurels and say "oh well all will be forgiven by the righteous coss were just not on their level/madragga" Reply

TO answer the question " i am wondering if the first tablets enscribed were exactly the same as the second set along with the new addendum?"

Actually the first ones contained more information. Exodus 32:15 And Moses turned, and went down from the mount, with the two tables of the testimony in his hand; tables that were written on both their sides; on the one side and on the other were they written. - by the hand of GOD verse 16.

The new tablets, we are told by the LORD "Exodus 34:1. . . . I will write upon the tables the words that were on the first tables".

Here is the issue as I see it. We do not know exactly what was on the tablets. Neither the first set nor the second. The ARK is called the "Ark of the Covenant" and "Ark of the Testimony" and box of the evidence. Based upon the names used, indicating what is inside. Perhaps the Tablets contained Exodus 34:11 - 26. Reply