The Portion of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35)

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 9, 2023 | Ki Tisa

This action-packed portion contains the final instructions for building the Tabernacle. It also relates the events of the Sin of the Golden Calf. Following the sin, Moses pleads with God to maintain His relationship with the Children of Israel as it had been until...

Why We Read About the Silver Half-Shekel Before the Month of Adar

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 23, 2022 | Adar, Covenant, Ki Tisa, Purim, Temple

Shabbat Shekalim is the last Shabbat preceding the beginning of the Hebrew month of Adar*, or the 1st of Adar itself if the month begins on Shabbat. In synagogues, the Torah portion describing the bringing of the silver half-shekel is read (Exodus 30:11-16) in...

Why Were the Israelites Required to Drive the Seven Nations of Canaan Out of the Land?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 17, 2022 | Israel, Ki Tisa

After reminding the Children of Israel of the covenant He made with the patriarchs, God promised to send an angel ahead of the Jews to drive out the seven nations from the land: I will send an angel before you, and I will drive out the Canaanites, the Amorites, the...

What Did Moses Actually See When God Showed Him His Back?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 17, 2022 | Fear of God, God, Hebrew Language, Ki Tisa, Prayer, Resurrection

There is no doubt that Moses was close to God, even speaking with Him “face to face, as one man speaks to another” (Exodus 33:11). But Moses wanted even more and requested, “Oh, let me behold Your Presence!” (33:18). God assented to His faithful servant’s request but...

Do Jews Have Horns?

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 15, 2022 | Antisemitism, Holiness, Ki Tisa

After coming down from Mount Sinai, Moses’ face was so radiant that he had to wear a mask when speaking with people: And when Moshe had finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moshe went in before Hashem to speak with Him, he would leave the...

The Holy Half-Shekel

by Shira Schechter (Moderator) | f 13, 2022 | Adar, Community, Israel, Ki Tisa, Temple

In the beginning of the Torah portion of Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35), God commands the Children of Israel to take a census by collecting a silver half-shekel from every male over the age of 20. What is the meaning of half shekel in the Bible? The half shekel is a...