TheYeshiva.net - Rabbi YY Jacobson

Can You Give Yourself A Standing Ovation for Showing Up? Learning to Appreciate Ourselves

The Beauty of the Golden Calf: When G-d "Learnt" Not to Take His People for Granted

1 hr 29 min

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Class Summary:

This Women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Sisa, 18 Adar I, 5784, February 27, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

In the conversation between Hashem and Moshe after the sin of the Golden Calf, G-d says something shocking: “On the day I make an accounting, I will bring their sin to account against them.”

G-d, it seems, is telling Moses He will never forget this sin. And whenever He is going to make an accounting, this sin will be included in the “package.”

This is deeply enigmatic. It is one of the foundations of Judaism that Teshuvah, repentance, atones for all sins and wipes them away completely. Every Yom Kippur, we declare that Hashem “removes our sins every year again.” No matter how many times we commit a sin, if we repent, we are forgiven. Teshuvah removes all guilt. It’s over. Yet here we are told that G-d will never let go of this transgression?

The most marvelous answer was presented by the famed Chassidic master and one of the greatest lovers of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov (1740-1809). In a daring interpretation, classic to the Chassidic approach toward Judaism, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak becomes the great “advocate” for the Jewish people, as he always was.

The class explores two models of education, one based on outer behavior and control, and the other one on connection and trust, and developing an internal relationship which allows a child to feel understood and empowered. We focus on the need to appreciate our successes, not only our failures.

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DSS
Dena Schusterman Schusterman -7 months ago
After listening to this class, I kept thinking about its message; as I was posting my weekly FB post with the candle lighting times, this attempt at a poetry slam came clack-clacking out of my keyboard:

Not taking things for granted. Parshat Ki Tissa. Dena Schusterman

Moses breaks the tablets.

God says “I’ll remember.

”He’ll remember this sin of the golden calf in perpetuity.

We assume this means doom. He’s never going to forgot how bad we were? How quickly we rebelled? How instantaneously we forget our purpose?

Or is it something else? Maybe our mind hears the words “I’ll remember” and races to places of worst case scenario. But it need not be so.

Maybe “I’ll always remember” is—-I’ll always remember that I, the Lord, can’t take for granted that you will —-be good.
Do good.
That I can’t take for granted that you are—- My people.
My chosen ones.
I can’t take for granted you are humans as I created you, in my image, but human no less.
Humans who will falter and fail.

Humans who will mess up.

Humans who will do as humans do.

But more so, mostly, as Godly you are.

We flounder and we flail. We get up and try again.
We are still here.
Are we not?
We are here still recognized, demonized as Bnai Yisrael.
The Jewish nation. The chosen nation.
We are still hated.
A light unto the nations. It’s so dark out there.
Bearing the burden of the yoke of responsibility God placed on our heads. On our shoulders. Wrapped around our stubborn necks.
Like the necklace I wear. The Star of David. Sparkly and light. The “Bring them Home” dog-tag smacking my chest in unrequited pennance.
He remembers which means He NEVER FORGETs

Not only our sin

But our existence
He doesn’t take us for granted.
Show us. This truth. Now. Dear, God.
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R
Reuven -7 months ago
Is this shiur printed , that I can download it.

thank you
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M
Moshe -7 months ago
אם אתה מאמין שיכולים לקלקל תאמין שיכולים לתקן
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Anonymous -8 months ago
Dear Rabbi YY im glad i made it back again today to appesciate your bautifull knowledge is priceless i know that i dont only speak for myself wen i say that how scares were ment for healing and i also thank you for not letting me think to myself im unforgivable sincerly, YHWH humble servent Erik Glenn Richter

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H
Had -8 months ago
The foundation of the shiur is teshuva
Repentance, that wipes out the aveirah.

But.....this is only regards aveirahs Bain Adam l'mokom, those sins between man and his Creator.

There is a different protocol for aveirahs Bain Adam l'chavero. Between man and man. To other people we must ask forgiveness, preferably before Yom Kippur. Plus the other must forgive. (Unless he refuses 3x).
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