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And now if You would but forgive their sin! But if not, erase me now from this book that You have written. (32:32)

Rashi explains that the word, “misifrecha“, “from Your book,”  applies to the entire Torah.  Rashi suggests a reason for Moshe’s well-known reaction to Hashem’s desire to punish Klal Yisrael with annihilation: “That they should not say about me that I was not worthy to implore mercy for them.”  This is mind-boggling!  We are referring here to Moshe Rabbeinu, the “anav mikol adam,” the most humble of all men.  He is prepared to have his name erased from the nitzchiyus, eternity, of Torah, simply because of what they may say, asserting that he was not capable/worthy of achieving clemency for Klal…

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And the people gathered around Aharon and said to him, “Rise up, make for us gods…The entire people removed the gold rings… He (Aharon) took it from their hands and bound it up in a cloth, and fashioned it into a molten calf. (32:1, 3,4)

One of the most grievous sins and tragic episodes in the history of our People is the chet ha’eigel, sin of the Golden Calf.  What makes things worse is Aharon HaKohen’s involvement in its construction.  Indeed, when Moshe questioned Aharon about his role in its creation, he responded that he was overwhelmed by the people.  Hoping to create some delay, he had them bring their gold and jewelry to him.  Regrettably, their response to his request was incredible.  It always seems to be like this when people have the passion of sin in their hearts: nothing stands in their way. …

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For six days work may be done and the seventh day is a day of complete rest. (31:15)

Rabbeinu Bachya says that  Shabbos is the principle of faith.  It is equivalent to all the mitzvos because it confirms our belief in the creation of the world.  As we believe that Hashem created the world in six days, we affirm that He rested on the seventh. Throughout Rabbinic literature, Chazal underscore the mitzvah of Shabbos and emphasize its significance.  Throughout the ages, Jews have sacrificed material comfort – and even their lives – in observance of this mitzvah.  The following story reinforces this idea: Horav Simcha Kaplan, Shlita, Rav of Tzfas, relates that when he studied at the Mirrer…

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The wealthy shall not increase and the destitute shall not decrease from half a shekel. (30:15)

  As part of an annual compulsory tax, the Torah instructs each member of Klal Yisroel to give a half-shekel towards the korbanos tzibur, communal offerings.  The Toldos Yaakov Yosef explains that the requirement for half a shekel underscores the importance of unity among Jews.  No Jew is complete unless he joins with others.  Indeed, even the simple person has the potential to complete the most noble Jew. In the beginning of Meseches Shekalim, the Mishnah says:  On Rosh Chodesh Adar, they (Bais Din) would proclaim regarding the obligation to contribute the Shekalim and Kilayim, reminding people to rid themselves…

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