Parashat Ki Tisa<\/p>\n
\u05d7\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05dc\u05d5\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea<\/p>\n
Engraved on the Tablets<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Tablets of the Covenant<\/p>\n
The People of Israel received a tremendous shock following their sinful worship of the Golden Calf: Moshe smashed to the ground the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, and G-d threatened to destroy the nation and replace it with another. Moshe stood in pleading prayer for many days before he was informed that G-d had repealed the decree. Moshe was then immediately commanded to prepare new tablets:<\/p>\n
\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e1\u05b8\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05bb\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd…<\/p>\n
Sculpt yourself two stone tablets like the first ones… (Sh\u2019mot 34,1)<\/p>\n
Externally, the two sets of tablets were the same in every respect: They were both made of stone, and, as the verse continues, they were written by the same Divine Writer and included the same words:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05bb\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05bb\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8.<\/p>\n
And I will write on the tablets the words that were<\/p>\n
on the first tablets that you broke.<\/p>\n
The only difference between them was the manner in which they were fashioned. The second set was hewn by Moshe Rabbeinu, as the above verse tells us, while the first ones were sculpted by Hashem:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05bb\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05be\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d1 \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b1\u05be\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d7\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05bb\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea.<\/p>\n
The [first] tablets were the work of G-d, and
the writing was that of G-d, engraved on the tablets. (32,16)<\/p>\n
Was there an intrinsic difference between the stone tablets made by G-d and those that were man-made? We must find the reason why the Torah takes the trouble to emphasize that one set was fashioned by Hashem and the other by Moshe.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two-Way Writing<\/p>\n
G-d\u2019s creations are designed in a very specific manner. Consider, for example, the human body. Its development is programmed and encoded in the nucleus of each of its billions of cells. The genetic code within dictates the singularly unique development of each and every person, making him totally inimitable in the world.<\/p>\n
We know that an embryo\u2019s hand and fingers are not sculpted out of a flesh-and-blood glob; rather, the fingers grow from the hand, according to an inner plan. The same is true for the eyes, eyelashes, and every other part of the body. The entire world, too, was created in the same way. It developed from a tiny point, according to a pre-set Divine plan that produced the mountains and valleys, the river beds and the oceans, and every other feature of the Earth\u2019s surface. The Talmud teaches (Chagigah 12a):<\/p>\n
Rav Yehuda said in the name of Rav: When the Holy One created the world, it went on expanding like two unraveling strands of thread, until He scolded it and brought it to a standstill\u2026 This is what Resh Lakish said: \u201cWhat is the meaning of the verse, \u2018I am G-d Sha-dai\u2019 (B\u2019reshit 17,1)? G-d is saying, \u201cI am He Who said to the world: Dai, Enough!\u201d<\/p>\n
In short, the world developed from within. The first stone tablets, as well, follow this pattern. They are among the few things that the Mishna tells us were created during the first Sabbath eve in history:<\/p>\n
Ten things were created on Sabbath eve at twilight. [Among them were] the letters, words, and the Tablets. (Pirkei Avot 5,6)<\/p>\n
The Tablets of the Law and their embedded letters were fashioned according to the above specific method of growth: from within a nucleus that continued to develop according to a Divine plan concealed within. This plan dictated how the stone would expand in certain parts and recede in others to form the letters of the Ten Commandments.<\/p>\n
The second set of Tablets was quite different, however. Moshe took a hunk of stone from the mountain, which he hammered, chiseled and carved until it became a flat surface upon which G-d would engrave the Ten Commandments. Moshe took these actions upon the stone, that is, from the outside to the inside \u2013 while G-d\u2019s sculpting of the original tablets was a developmental process from within.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two-Way Hearing<\/p>\n
Also following this pattern is human hearing, of which there are two types: External and internal. Our \u201cregular\u201d hearing comes from outside in, and the brain then interprets the vibrations and translates them into sounds and tones. This is similar to the manner in which G-d wrote on the second Tablets after Moshe sculpted them: from the outside, onto an already existing article. This is also how Israel chose to receive the Torah: via Moshe Rabbeinu\u2019s voice, which cut through the air and caused the eardrums of every listener of Israel to vibrate.<\/p>\n
The second type of hearing, the \u201cprophetic\u201d type, is very different. It comes from within, as if from a dream, towards the outside. This type is like a Divine creation, designed according to an inner program that comes from deep inside.<\/p>\n
The great intensities involved in prophetically hearing G-d\u2019s voice were too much for the Nation of Israel. Instead, they chose to hear \u201cexternally,\u201d via Moshe\u2019s voice, as Moshe later recounted to them:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05da\u05b0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05e2\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9… \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc…<\/p>\n
When you heard the Divine voice from the darkness and the mountain aflame, you [plural] approached me and said:<\/p>\n
\u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b8\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b9\u05d0\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea,
\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd \u05d9\u05b9\u05e1\u05b0\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d4' \u05d0\u05b1\u05be\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d5\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05ea\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy should we die when this great fire consumes us,
by continuing to hear the voice of Hashem our G-d?<\/p>\n
\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b2\u05de\u05b8\u05e2 … \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d4' \u05d0\u05b1\u05be\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc.<\/p>\n
You, Moshe, should approach and listen to what G-d tells \u2013 and then<\/p>\n
relay to us all that Hashem has spoken to you,<\/p>\n
and we will hear and we will fulfill.\u201d (D\u2019varim 5,20-24)<\/p>\n
This is the background for our Sages\u2019 Talmudic teaching: \u201cIf the First Tablets had not been broken, Israel never would have forgotten the Torah\u201d (Eruvin 54a). The First Tablets were introduced with the Divine Prophetic voice, which sprouted forth an inner spiritual structure of man\u2019s will; had this structure remained, anything imbibed through it could never be erased, just as a person\u2019s organs never change.<\/p>\n
This is not the case with an external voice, heard via the ears and impressed onto the brain in a non-permanent manner, whose message can ultimately disappear.<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Limits of Free Choice<\/p>\n
Using terms employed by the world of Kabbalah, we can say that when the first Tablets were handed down, the light of Keter, crown, appeared. This represents the absolute Divine will, that which dictates to man his desires and greatly restricts his free choice. When these Tablets were broken, this light did not again appear; instead, the second Tablets brought with them the light of Chokhmah, wisdom: logical and easily acceptable principles that Moshe Rabbeinu explained to Bnei Yisrael. The Torah\u2019s first main section of laws begins with these words:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd.<\/p>\n
These are the laws that you [Moshe] shall place before them. (Sh\u2019mot 21,1)<\/p>\n
Rashi explains that Moshe was commanded as follows: \u201cDo not think that you should teach them the chapter or law twice or three times until they simply know it by heart, without teaching them the reasons for it. Rather, you must \u2018place [it] before them,\u2019 like food is placed on a table, ready to eat.\u201d Moshe, of course, fulfills this command precisely as G-d told him:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05d6\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc.<\/p>\n
This is the Torah that Moshe placed before Bnei Yisrael. (D\u2019varim 4,44)<\/p>\n
He also emphasizes this point in his parting speech to Israel:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e6\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7\u05b4\u05dd
\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd.<\/p>\n
And which great nation is it that has correct and just statutes and laws, as this entire Torah that I place before you today? (verse 8)<\/p>\n
The verse uses the word tzadikim, \u201ccorrect and just,\u201d to refer to the laws, meaning: \u201cYou can easily see that G-d\u2019s laws are totally reasonable and just.\u201d This is not an absolute advantage, however; it can easily boomerang. For if we can \u201ceasily see\u201d and understand something, what guarantee is there that we will not begin to feel differently one day and adopt different systems of logic! If this happens, the basis on which the wisdom of Torah is based is liable to be undercut, and Torah could be abandoned, Heaven forbid.<\/p>\n
We must therefore delve deeper into the fact that Moshe had to teach the Torah to Israel. When Israel requested that G-d not speak to them directly, but rather have Moshe tell them the commandments, Hashem agreed:<\/p>\n
\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc.<\/p>\n
They have spoken well in all that they said. (D\u2019varim 5,25)<\/p>\n
At first, this is practically incomprehensible. Why would G-d praise Israel\u2019s weakness and their inability to accept the prophetic voice directly from the Source?<\/p>\n
The answer is rooted in our understanding of the changeover from the First Tablets to the Second Tablets. Just as the Tablets \u201cdescended\u201d from the level of Keter to that of \u05b4Hokhmah, wisdom, there was a similar descent from G-d\u2019s voice to that of Moshe \u2013 in keeping with G-d\u2019s desire to found the world on the basis of Free Choice.<\/p>\n
When the First Tablets were given, G-d\u2019s voice burst forth in direct prophecy, essentially forcing itself on man and restricting his ability to choose freely. Hearing G-d directly, man can barely resist, as the prophet states:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05d6\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05e2\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea \u05e2\u05b8\u05e6\u05bb\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b8\u05dc.<\/p>\n
If I were to say, \u201cI will not mention Him and I will no longer speak in His name,\u201d the prophecy would remain in my heart like a burning fire, confined in my bones, and I would tire in trying to contain it without success. (Jeremiah 20,9)<\/p>\n
But Israel requested to hear from Moshe instead, providing them with more room to make their own decisions as to whether or not to adhere. Yes, the changeover from \u201cthe Divine will\u201d to \u201chuman wisdom and choice\u201d increases the risk that they will not listen; but when they do choose to follow G-d\u2019s word, their decision will be even more valuable and precious \u2013 and Hashem therefore approves. This is why He says:<\/p>\n
\u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05dd \u05d6\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd
\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d9\u05b4\u05d9\u05d8\u05b7\u05d1 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd.<\/p>\n
Would that their heart [remain] like this for them,
fearing Me and keeping all My commandments forever,
so that it will be well with them and with their<\/p>\n
children forever! (D\u2019varim 5,26)<\/p>\n
Why is this phrased as a prayer? Because Hashem has just removed His own authority to determine man\u2019s actions, leaving it up to man himself.<\/p>\n
This raises another question: Will man forever have Free Will in its current form? The Prophet Jeremiah answers in the negative. He says that when the End of Days arrives, the boundaries of our Free Choice will be greatly reduced. This diminution will be necessarily linked with a transformation from \u201cexternal hearing\u201d to \u201cinternal hearing,\u201d that is, from the familiar type of teaching between a teacher and his students, to prophetic instruction emanating from within each person.<\/p>\n
\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d6\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05db\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d4\u05b5\u05dd \u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd \u05d4'.
\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b3\u05d1\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4…<\/p>\n
For this is the covenant that I will forge with Israel after those days,<\/p>\n
says G-d: I have placed My Torah within them,<\/p>\n
and on their heart I will write it… (Jeremiah 31,32)<\/p>\n
This writing is clearly not of the regular type, but rather a prophetic, inner voice that designs a person\u2019s will in accordance with G-d\u2019s laws. Yes, some Free Will remains, but it will be like that of a prophet. What will schools look like in those upcoming days? The Prophet Yirmiyahu has a succinct description:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05e8\u05b5\u05e2\u05b5\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8, \u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4',
\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d9\u05b5\u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d8\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d3 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd \u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd \u05d4'…<\/p>\n
A man will not teach his friend, nor will a man teach his brother, saying, \u201cKnow G-d!\u201d
For everyone will know Me, from their youngest to their oldest, says G-d. (verse 33)<\/p>\n
Apparently, schools will no longer be needed, nor teachers…<\/p>\n
\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Do It Yourself \u2013 Actively<\/p>\n
The concepts presented above will serve us well as we try to understand a fascinating law of the Sukkot holiday: the law of \u201ctaaseh, v\u2019lo min he\u2019asui\u201d, which literally means, \u201cMake it, and not have it be made.\u201d One must actively build a Sukkah \u2013 specifically, the s\u2019chach \u2013 and not simply enable it to be built of itself. For instance, one might build a Sukkah easily by digging into the side of a large pile of grain, and presto!, he will have a room with walls of grain topped off by s\u2019chach. But this is precisely what is not allowed, for he did not place the s\u2019chach atop the walls himself.<\/p>\n
This law, mentioned in the Mishna (Sukkah 1,8), is derived from the following verse:<\/p>\n
\u05d7\u05b7\u05d2 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05bb\u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd…<\/p>\n
Make yourself the Sukkot festival, seven days… (D\u2019varim 16,13)<\/p>\n
The main part of a Sukkah is the s\u2019chach, and the Torah commands us to \u201cmake it,\u201d that is, to take direct action to place the s\u2019chach; we may not merely indirectly bring about a situation in which the s\u2019chach is already there.<\/p>\n
Similarly, we must tie the strings of our tzitzit directly onto each corner of our four-cornered garments, as is written:<\/p>\n
\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u05da\u05b0 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05e4\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e1\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8…<\/p>\n
You shall make yourself twisted threads,<\/p>\n
on the four corners of your garment… (22,12)<\/p>\n
This means that if a corner of the tallit was torn off with its fringes, it cannot be sewn back on to the garment \u2013 for this would be a violation of \u201cmake it, and not have it be made.\u201d Rather, the fringes must be untied from the corner, the corner must be sewn back on, and the fringes can then be retied onto it.<\/p>\n
This Halakhah also applies to the writing of Torah scrolls and mezuzot. The letters must be inked directly, and not fashioned via scratching out parts of an ink stain so that what remains is the letter.<\/p>\n
These examples parallel the fashioning of the Tablets of the Covenant. Our actions must follow the pattern of the second set of Tablets, and not that of the first set. The letters must be actively written on the stone, and not be formed on their own in a developmental process.<\/p>\n
Let us conclude with a prophecy of Ezekiel regarding the End of Days:<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d7\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd
\u05d5\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e1\u05b4\u05e8\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05dc\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c2\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05e8.<\/p>\n
I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit will I put within you, and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.<\/p>\n
\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea \u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05d5\u05bc…<\/p>\n
And I will put My spirit within you and bring it about that<\/p>\n
you will walk in My statutes… (Yechezkel 36,26-27)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Parashat Ki Tisa \u05d7\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05dc\u05d5\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea Engraved on the Tablets \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Tablets of the Covenant The People of Israel received a tremendous shock following their sinful worship of the Golden Calf: Moshe smashed to the ground the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments, and G-d threatened to destroy the nation and replace it with […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":12015,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_shiur_youtube":"","_shiur_audios":[],"_shiur_pdfs":[{"title":"\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05e8\u05d5\u05ea","url":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/01\/Ki-Tisa.pdf"}],"_post_rav":[1882]},"nosim":[203],"class_list":["post-4993","shiurim","type-shiurim","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","nosim-english"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/shiurim\/4993","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/shiurim"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/shiurim"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/shiurim\/4993\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4994,"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/shiurim\/4993\/revisions\/4994"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12015"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4993"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"nosim","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kiryatmoshe.co.il\/maor-tuvia\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/nosim?post=4993"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}