Ki Tissa: Faithfully

Parashat Ki Tissa is particularly famous/ infamous for two episodes: the incident of the Golden Calf, and, in its aftermath, Moses' encounter with God.

Notably, each of these two narratives evolve from the desire to understand God in ways that, according to our tradition, God simply cannot be experienced by humans.  The people who construct the Golden Calf long for a physical manifestation of the Divine presence--the gods of their neighbors all were represented in such a fashion.  It is easy to imagine that they felt a supreme sense of relief when Aaron forged the Calf and proclaimed, "Eleh Elohecha, Yisrael (this is your god, O Israel)."  It is not inconceivable that for many of them, this project was not an act of idolatry but a way of making sense of their connection to a God they could not see.

Moses exhibits similar feelings.  Having brought the Israelites thus far trusting in the leadership, guidance, and protection of this unseen God, Moses now wants some reassurance.  He asks to see God's face, but is informed that what he suggests is impossible.  Yet he still is given the opportunity to experience God's glory more directly than any other individual, and from here we learn the Divine Attributes, including the fact that God is "endlessly patient, loving, and true..."

Ever since that moment, humanity has been on an ongoing quest: to be in relationship with a God Who is unseeable, and-- in spite of this limitation which others might see as an obstacle to intimacy-- nurture a close and loving relationship with the Divine.

"Through space and time...Wondering where I am, lost without You."

We maintain our connection to God...faithfully.

Please note, I do not own-- nor do I claim to own-- these songs.  Copyrights are held by the various artists.  I include them here for illustrative purposes.
Faithfully- (Ki Tissa, Exodus 30:11-34:35)

Music and lyrics by Jonathan Cain; performed by Journey. From the album "Frontiers," Columbia, 1982.