Can You Give Yourself A Standing Ovation for Showing Up?

Rabbi YY Jacobson

The Beauty of the Golden Calf: When G-d "Learnt" Not to Take His People for Granted
For Source Sheets: https://www.theyeshiva.net/jewish/9243

This Women's class was presented on Tuesday, Parshas Ki Sisa, 18 Adar I, 5784, February 27, 2024, at Bais Medrash Ohr Chaim in Monsey, NY.

In the conversation between Hashem and Moshe after the sin of the Golden Calf, G-d says something shocking: “On the day I make an accounting, I will bring their sin to account against them.”

G-d, it seems, is telling Moses He will never forget this sin. And whenever He is going to make an accounting, this sin will be included in the “package.”

This is deeply enigmatic. It is one of the foundations of Judaism that Teshuvah, repentance, atones for all sins and wipes them away completely. Every Yom Kippur, we declare that Hashem “removes our sins every year again.” No matter how many times we commit a sin, if we repent, we are forgiven. Teshuvah removes all guilt. It’s over. Yet here we are told that G-d will never let go of this transgression?

The most marvelous answer was presented by the famed Chassidic master and one of the greatest lovers of Israel, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak of Berditchov (1740-1809). In a daring interpretation, classic to the Chassidic approach toward Judaism, Rabbi Levi Yitzchak becomes the great “advocate” for the Jewish people, as he always was.

The class explores two models of education, one based on outer behavior and control, and the other one on connection and trust, and developing an internal relationship which allows a child to feel understood and empowered. We focus on the need to appreciate our successes, not only our failures.
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