Once again we read the incredible story of the Golden Calf.
Moshe Rabeinu's response to the sin seems almost as surprising as the sin itself - smashing the luchos at the foot of the mountain, and then rallying the Levi'im to slay their brothers and friends.
Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Kook (Orot Hakodesh 2:21) derives an important lesson from Moshe's behavior: although under normal circumstances holiness is a constructive force, which fosters growth through positive actions, there are times when an act of ?holy destruction? is called for.
Rabbi Kook explains that this lesson is relevant to each and every person as he navigates his way through life's concerns. A person who is not wholeheartedly committed to seeking out "the light of good and truth" will choose the comfort his experiences, clinging to familiar ground, never questioning well-worn beliefs and opinions. Moshe's act of ?holy destruction? teaches us that in order to achieve the highest level one can, maintaining the status quo is not enough. One must be willing to lay physical and spiritual well-being at risk, ?smashing? outdated elements of the self, thus preparing the ground for the building of a more spiritual structure.
It is time to listen to the voice of G-d as it calls to us through the unfolding of Jewish history in our time. Come home, come home to the land where the Jewish people can truly build a sacred nation.
--------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Avi Roness is from Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Aloh Naaleh is an organization dedicated to building Aliya motivation among North American Jewry. Torah Thoughts contributed by Aloh Naaleh members appear in the Orthodox Union's Torah Insights publication. Contact Aloh Naaleh at aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il.
Moshe Rabeinu's response to the sin seems almost as surprising as the sin itself - smashing the luchos at the foot of the mountain, and then rallying the Levi'im to slay their brothers and friends.
Rabbi Avraham Yitzhak Kook (Orot Hakodesh 2:21) derives an important lesson from Moshe's behavior: although under normal circumstances holiness is a constructive force, which fosters growth through positive actions, there are times when an act of ?holy destruction? is called for.
Rabbi Kook explains that this lesson is relevant to each and every person as he navigates his way through life's concerns. A person who is not wholeheartedly committed to seeking out "the light of good and truth" will choose the comfort his experiences, clinging to familiar ground, never questioning well-worn beliefs and opinions. Moshe's act of ?holy destruction? teaches us that in order to achieve the highest level one can, maintaining the status quo is not enough. One must be willing to lay physical and spiritual well-being at risk, ?smashing? outdated elements of the self, thus preparing the ground for the building of a more spiritual structure.
It is time to listen to the voice of G-d as it calls to us through the unfolding of Jewish history in our time. Come home, come home to the land where the Jewish people can truly build a sacred nation.
--------------------------------------------------------
Rabbi Avi Roness is from Ramat Beit Shemesh.
Aloh Naaleh is an organization dedicated to building Aliya motivation among North American Jewry. Torah Thoughts contributed by Aloh Naaleh members appear in the Orthodox Union's Torah Insights publication. Contact Aloh Naaleh at aloh-naaleh@aaci.org.il.