Parsha Vayakhel —Does the Golden Calf Concept still exist?

I like to get up early, watch the sunrise, do some creative writing or creative thinking. But this morning was cloudy, there was no sunrise. Of course, there must have been a sunrise, but I could not see it.

OK, where is this going?

Just because we can not see it, it doesn't mean that it does not exist.

Just because God is hidden, this does not mean He does not exist.

The challenge is the belief in the hidden, in the abstract.

Let’s go back to the story of the golden calf. The people wanted a physical structure to connect to God. They didn’t want to replace God, but they seeked a way of connecting.

As Ibn Ezra comments, they wanted someone or something, to show them the way, in the absence of Moshe. If he returned, they would leave this alternative, and return to the leadership of Moshe and Aharon.”

So, what can learn from the golden calf story?

First, the golden calf concept still exists. We chase the idolatry of money, sports and movie stars, and other isms. The golden calf concept also exists in our Judaism — We need physical outlets to connect to God. This is not necessarily negative but is being used in positive ways.

We need, seek physical spaces to connect to God — Shuls, the Kotel.

I once asked somebody why we are fixated on the Temple Mount. He replied — We are looking for a connection to God, eternity. Add to the mix — Mashiach — that is redemption, a better tomorrow.

We have Uman, the Ohel as places where we seek a connection

Chassidus is based on a physical Rebbe — a connector to God.

I will leave this question open to consider if this is a golden calf.

This week’s Parsha is called Vayakhel.

Exodus 35:10

וכל־חכם־לב בכם יבאו ויעשו את כל־אשר צוה יהוה׃

את־המשכן את־אהלו ואת־מכסהו את־קרסיו ואת־קרשיו את־בריחו את־עמדיו ואת־אדניו׃

“And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord has commanded; The tabernacle, its tent, and its covering, its clasps, and its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets”

Moshe gathered the people in a common purpose in giving gifts with their hearts to provide materials to the Mishkan.

Again, we see the construction of a physical building.

So, it seems that we need something physical to connect to God. It is programmed into our DNA.

We have the design, the art, the vessels, symbols of holiness. The music

I heard an interesting discussion titled — are humans closer to animals or angels. Put in another way, do we display our animal traits that seeks instant gratification, or do we strive for our human, Jewish side which seeks meaning and purpose.

Do we desire the golden calf or the temple?

Shabbat Shalom