Daily Chumash Tuesday Eikev – Moshe recounts in detail the sin of the Eigel

Shelishi

• “Don’t tell yourselves that those nations are being destroyed before you because you are more righteous than them, and they were evil. This is not the case. Rather, it is due to their wickedness that they are being destroyed, and in order to upkeep Hashem’s promise to your forefathers. It is not due to your righteousness, as you are a stubborn nation.”

1. Moshe recounts in detail the sin of the Eigel:

• “Remember that you angered Hashem in the desert, and Hashem desired to destroy you. When I ascended the mountain to carry down the Luchos, I was there for 40 days and nights without eating or drinking. I was given the Luchos by Hashem and at the conclusion of the 40 days was told to descend back down as the nation has sinned and made an idol. Hashem said to me that the nation is stubborn and He wishes to destroy them and make a new and better nation from me. I descended the mountain with the Luchos and behold I saw that you sinned to Hashem. I took the two Luchos and threw them, breaking them in front of you. I then fell before Hashem another 40 days and nights, not eating or drinking, to plead for forgiveness for your sins. Hashem became enraged at Aaron and desired to destroy him, so I also prayed for him. I took the sinful calf and burnt it within fire and turned it into dust. I threw the dust in the valley/river that descended from the mountain.”
• Moshe recounts other rebelliousness: “Remember the provocation made in Taveira and Kivros Hataava. When Hashem sent you from Kadesh to go inherit the land, you replied with disbelief in His ability to do so.
• I prayed for you forty days and nights to rescind the decree of destruction against you. I asked G-d not to destroy His nation which He redeemed from Egypt, lest the nations say You took them out to murder them.”