Exodus 30:11 - 34:35

Ashkenazim: I Kings 18:1-39
Sephardim: I Kings 18:20-39

In this Torah portion, Moses stays with God on Mount Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights. There, he is given the 10 Commandments on stone tablets. Fearing Moses will never return, the Israelites turn to Aaron, who demands that everyone bring him their gold, so he can make a golden calf. When Moses comes down the mountain and sees the people dancing around this idol, he smashes the tablets on the ground. God punishes with a plague all the Israelites who were involved. Moses builds a tent to be his meeting place with God.

FULL SUMMARY
HAFTARAH SUMMARY

Holiness Cannot Be Mass Produced

The artisan is as important as the ingredients used.

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The Israelites worshipped the Golden Calf because they lost an awareness of God.

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Positive Communal Action

The collection of the half-shekel teaches us the importance of working together as a community.

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The Idol Of Complacency

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Learn more about the weekly Torah portion.

Haftarah for Ki Tisa

Elijah takes on Ahab and worshippers of Baal.

Parashat Ki Tisa: Summary

God continues describing the Tabernacle to Moses; the people worship the Golden Calf, Moses pleads on their behalf, and God forgives them.

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