How could the Yiden have made an eigel (Golden Calf) so soon after recieving the Torah? This class was given at Machon Chana (5763). An introductory level lecture on the perplexing question of how the Jewish people got involved in making a golden calf¹. This class is not text based. Rabbi Paltiel provides eye opening insight into the incident in this enjoyable class. 1. The incident of the golden calf can be found in Shemos (Exodus) 32.1 – 32.35 at bible.ort.org (with English translation and transliteration) or at chabad.org (with English and Rashi).
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32-01. The Ramban (5767). The Ramban has a very unique understanding of the story of the Egel. Aharon intended it to be a representation of G-Dly gevura. It didn’t work out that way and a new prohibition was added as a precaution. This is an intermediate level class on the golden calf. The class provides a fascinating introduction to the different opinions of Rashi, Even Ezra, and the Ramban. One question that is examined is whether or not it was forbidden to make the golden calf from the outset. Further, if it was not forbidden, what is the source of the grievous chet ha’egel (sin of the golden calf)? All Hebrew is clearly translated into English.
32-01. The Ramban (5767).
The עגל הזהב and what relates to it (Machon Chana 5777/ 2017) The same thing is wonderful for one and terrible for another based on their level of faith (and sense of unity). 1) כרובים היו מותרים אחרי מתן תורה -ולהרמב”ן- זה הי’ כונת אהרון בעשיית העגל, אלא שקלקלו הערב רב, ואחר כך אסר הקב”ה כרובים -חוץ מבקדה”ק- כמו”ש אלקי מסכה לא תעשה לך. 2) למה גנז חזקי’ ספר הרפואה והי’ ברצון חכמים ומ”מ לא נגנז עד אז. 3) ולמה כתת נחש הנחשת ונחשב לדבר טוב ולא נעשה עד אז. 4) מתי קבלה מעשית הוא ענין ניעלה -כמו שהי’ אצל האריז”ל- ומתי הוא סכנה גדולה ועוד גרוע מזה.
The עגל הזהב and what relates to it (Machon Chana 5777/ 2017)
