No doubt that the central theme in our parsha is the tragic episode of the Egel HaZahav, the Golden Calf. Yet, the sedra begins with the counting of the nation, by means of the half-shekel.
Is there any connection between these two subjects?
Furthermore, why only a half-shekel, rather than a whole one? And, while we're on the subject of the Egel, no doubt the fact that Bnei Yisrael had just finished hearing the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments) - in part straight from Hashem - contributed to G-d's anger over the Calf affair. How could a people that had risen so high fall so far, so fast?
Let's try to understand. Despite the appearance of avoda zara (pagan worship) given by the building - and worshipping - of the Golden Calf, most of chazal (the sages) do not believe that Bnei Yisrael had rejected Hashem in favor of some lifeless statue. As proof, the punishment meted out to the people, while severe, is considerably less than might be expected for idol worship.
The real sin of the people was a lack of faith in ourselves, not in G-d. We doubted that we had the ability to reach Hashem on our own, and so, when we feared Moshe was not coming down from the mountain, we sought a "middle man" to process our prayers. The term "boshesh" (delayed) used in the pasuk is related to boosha, shame at our own inadequacies.
Precisely because we had been elevated to so high a level at Mt. Sinai, we doubted our ability to maintain that spiritual excellence. Often, to avoid taking responsibility, a person acts in a most unholy fashion. Thus, in similar incident, after Bilaam praised us to the Heavens - "Mah tovu ohalecha yaakov" - we went the other way and engaged in horrible, scatological practices with the Midianite women.
The half-shekel was "the antidote that preceded the disease." Because it was half, and not whole, it sent the message to us that: a) we are partners with Hashem and we need each other; and b) we are not expected to do the whole task, just our fair share. While we have a challenging mission in this world, G-d is there to help us, and He accepts us with all our limitations.
Perhaps this is why the Torah uses the strange phrase "ki tisa" for "counting". Ki tisa means "when you will lift up (the head of the people)". When we hold our heads up high - energized by our connection to Hashem - we will act with strength and confidence, and not be "cowed" into accepting anything less than the One, True G-d.
Is there any connection between these two subjects?
Furthermore, why only a half-shekel, rather than a whole one? And, while we're on the subject of the Egel, no doubt the fact that Bnei Yisrael had just finished hearing the Aseret HaDibrot (Ten Commandments) - in part straight from Hashem - contributed to G-d's anger over the Calf affair. How could a people that had risen so high fall so far, so fast?
Let's try to understand. Despite the appearance of avoda zara (pagan worship) given by the building - and worshipping - of the Golden Calf, most of chazal (the sages) do not believe that Bnei Yisrael had rejected Hashem in favor of some lifeless statue. As proof, the punishment meted out to the people, while severe, is considerably less than might be expected for idol worship.
The real sin of the people was a lack of faith in ourselves, not in G-d. We doubted that we had the ability to reach Hashem on our own, and so, when we feared Moshe was not coming down from the mountain, we sought a "middle man" to process our prayers. The term "boshesh" (delayed) used in the pasuk is related to boosha, shame at our own inadequacies.
Precisely because we had been elevated to so high a level at Mt. Sinai, we doubted our ability to maintain that spiritual excellence. Often, to avoid taking responsibility, a person acts in a most unholy fashion. Thus, in similar incident, after Bilaam praised us to the Heavens - "Mah tovu ohalecha yaakov" - we went the other way and engaged in horrible, scatological practices with the Midianite women.
The half-shekel was "the antidote that preceded the disease." Because it was half, and not whole, it sent the message to us that: a) we are partners with Hashem and we need each other; and b) we are not expected to do the whole task, just our fair share. While we have a challenging mission in this world, G-d is there to help us, and He accepts us with all our limitations.
Perhaps this is why the Torah uses the strange phrase "ki tisa" for "counting". Ki tisa means "when you will lift up (the head of the people)". When we hold our heads up high - energized by our connection to Hashem - we will act with strength and confidence, and not be "cowed" into accepting anything less than the One, True G-d.