REFLECTIONS ON PARSHAT KI TISA 5786 – THE COURAGE TO RETURN

בס”ד

토라를 삶에 접목하는 것은 묵상과 대화를 통해 놀라울 정도로 즐겁고 몰입도 높은 경험이 될 수 있습니다. 이는 고대 지혜와 시대를 초월하는 가르침이 우리의 일상 속에서 생생하게 살아 숨 쉬는 발견의 여정입니다. 묵상을 통해 우리는 토라의 풍부한 가르침 속으로 깊이 들어가 현대 생활과 공명하는 심오한 통찰과 교훈을 얻을 수 있습니다. 기쁨은 토라 구절이나 이야기가 우리의 개인적인 어려움, 열망, 가치관과 갑자기 연결되는 '아하' 하는 깨달음의 순간에 있습니다. 또한 다른 사람들과 토라에 대해 대화를 나누다 보면, 다양한 관점과 해석이 이해를 더욱 깊게 해주는 상호적인 탐구가 됩니다. 이러한 대화는 종종 흥미와 지적 호기심을 불러일으켜 학습 과정을 즐겁고 만족스럽게 만들어 줍니다. 토라는 우리 삶의 활기차고 역동적인 부분이 되어, 단순히 지침만 제공하는 것이 아니라 끝없는 매력, 연결, 그리고 성장의 원천이 됩니다.

참고: 모든 자료를 살펴보거나 모든 질문에 답해야 한다는 부담감을 가질 필요는 없습니다. 원하신다면 그렇게 하셔도 좋습니다. 단 하나의 자료나 질문만으로도 토론과 사색을 위한 충분한 소재를 얻을 수 있을 것입니다. 즐겁게 활용하세요!

Some thoughts about Parshat Ki Tisa

In the aftermath of the sin of the Golden Calf, the relationship between G-d and Israel appears to hang by a thread. G-d informs Moses that although the people will still be brought to the Promised Land, His direct Divine Presence will no longer dwell among them. Instead, an angel will lead them on their journey (Exodus 33:2–3).

At this moment, Moses makes a remarkable request. He does not merely ask that the people be spared punishment or allowed to continue their journey. He insists that G-d Himself must remain with them:

“And he said to Him: If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here. For how then shall it be known that I have found favor in Your eyes, I and Your people? Is it not in that You go with us, so that we are distinguished, I and Your people, from all the people who are upon the face of the earth?” (Exodus 33:15–16)

G-d accepts Moses’ plea and agrees that His Presence will remain uniquely with Israel. The boldness of Moses’ request is striking. How could he ask for such closeness after the terrible failure of the Golden Calf? At that moment, the people had demonstrated a profound lapse of faith. One might assume that they had forfeited the privilege of G-d’s nearness.

Yet the Torah teaches otherwise.

Later in the Torah we find a moment that helps illuminate Moses’ thinking. When the priestly service was first inaugurated, Aaron hesitated to approach the altar. Moses said to him:

“Approach the altar and perform your sin offering and your burnt offering” (Leviticus 9:7).

Rashi explains that Aaron was ashamed to come forward. Moses responded: Why are you ashamed? It is precisely for this that you were chosen. Aaron’s humility did not disqualify him. It was part of what made him worthy of the role.

This insight helps us understand Moses’ audacity in Parshat Ki Tisa. People often believe that there exists a point beyond which they cannot return to G-d. A person may think: after what I have done, how can I approach? How could I ask for closeness again?

That thought is one of the most powerful tools of the yetzer hara. Despair convinces a person that distance from G-d is permanent.

The Torah presents a different path. It teaches that repentance always remains possible. Returning to G-d sometimes requires a certain boldness—the courage to approach again, even after failure. Moses demonstrates that true humility does not lead to despair. It leads to renewed closeness.

The continued presence of G-d among Israel has implications for the entire world. When Moses asks that the Divine Presence remain with Israel, he explains that this unique relationship distinguishes Israel from all other nations. Yet this distinction also serves a universal purpose. Through Israel’s covenant and spiritual mission, the knowledge of G-d spreads throughout the world.

The prophet Zechariah describes a future moment when the nations themselves recognize this connection:

“Thus says the L-RD of Hosts: In those days ten men from all the languages of the nations shall grasp the corner of the garment of a Jewish man, saying: Let us go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you.” (Zechariah 8:23)

The nations are not asked to become Israel. Rather, they recognize that G-d’s Presence rests with Israel and that through this connection they too can draw closer to Him.

Moses’ plea therefore carries a message not only for Israel but for all humanity. No person should despair of returning to G-d. Even after failure, even after distance, the door remains open. The path back requires humility, honesty, and the courage to approach once more.

May we all be blessed with the strength never to despair, and to seek closeness with G-d with humility, courage, and hope.

이제 다음 질문들을 생각해 보십시오.

Moses boldly asks that G-d’s Presence remain with Israel after the sin of the Golden Calf. What does this teach us about the possibility of repairing a damaged relationship with G-d?
Aaron hesitated to approach the altar because of shame. When is humility helpful in spiritual growth, and when might excessive shame hold a person back?
Why might despair be considered one of the most powerful obstacles to repentance?
Zechariah describes nations seeking closeness to G-d through their association with Israel. What might this idea mean for the spiritual role of the nations of the world?
When people feel distant from G-d because of their actions, what practical steps might help them begin the journey back toward closeness?

샤밧 샬롬

랍비 타니 버튼 지음

Rabbi Tani Burton의 시우림 더보기

5786년 파르샤트 키 티사(귀환의 용기)에 대한 고찰

Some thoughts about Parshat Ki Tisa

이제 다음 질문들을 생각해 보십시오.