Timeless Torah

It was a classic case of golden opportunity, national meltdown, Golden Calf. In other words, after having raised themselves to the spiritual heights offered at Sinai, the Israelites plunged themselves into a morass deeper than the mud pits of Egypt. How the fledgling nation could have made such a sudden and complete turnaround has intrigued, baffled, and challenged the ingenuity of our greatest Rabbis. Their thoughts and explanations fill countless scholarly tomes, any of which could not be done justice in this limited space. So instead of focusing on the actions of the Jews and the reaction of G-d, let us address the curious stance adopted by Moses.

In the aftermath of the sin of the Golden Calf, G-d declared, “I shall annihilate them.” To which Moses, the ever faithful shepherd to his flock, responded, “Relent…reconsider the evil…Remember for the sake of Abraham…” A masterful defense: it not only earns the Hebrews a reprieve, but a full pardon. One might have thought that Moses would have been satisfied, considered his efforts a productive day’s work - but no. In what appears as a daring move, he asks for more. Uncompromising, and seemingly unappreciative of G-d’s magnanimous gesture, Moses wants an assurance that G-d will not merely send an angel to lead the Jews across the desert, as Hashem had already indicated. Oh no! Moses demands a guarantee that the Almighty Himself, rather than some Divine lackey, escorts the people into the Promised Land. Amazingly, and as anthropomorphic as it may sound, Moses convinces G-d to change His mind. First on the destruction issue, and then on the “who will do the leading” question.

“Enough,” you say. Stop while you’re ahead. Don’t ask for anything else. But as certain as dust trails a caravan, Moses follows up his first two requests with a third. Moses now asks the Creator to “show me Your face.” It is not enough that Hashem forgives the Jews for the most audacious sin of their young history. It is not enough that He assures them that He will guide them in their travels. Moses wants more! He asks that he, a physical human being, connect with the Omnipotent in a way never done before. He wants to feast his soul on the most spiritual meal ingested through human vision. He wants to see G-d.

The All Powerful explains that it is impossible to see Him and live. The human soul cannot remained confined to a spatio-temporal existence after it has experienced the endless world of infinite spirituality. And thus, the L-rd’s answer is, “No. You may, however, see my back.”

What, however, propelled Moses to goad and push Heaven? Why was the Jewish leader so persistent, perhaps, some may even say, impertinent?

Lou Maidenbaum, who helped establish the Maodenbaum Preparatory School Division of Yeshiva of South Shore, was confined to a hospital in Miami Beach prior to his passing. But in his sick bed he never lost his spunk, charm, or the will to live life to its fullest. About a week before he died, he was experiencing extreme discomfort. So he pressed the button for a nurse, but no one came. Five minutes later he rang again . Stil no response. He tried two more times and then decided on a new tactic. He picked up the telephone and dialed three digits, 9-1-1. “Emergency services,” came the woman’s voice. “What is the problem?”

“I’m having difficulty breathing,” gasped Lou. “Where are you calling from?” “Mount Sinai Hospital, Room 321,” answered the patient. “Mount Sinai Hospital?” repeated the incredulous dispatcher. “What are you calling us for? You’re in the hospital already!”
“Lady,” he shouted. “This is my life we’re talking about. If this is the way I’ll get what I need, then I’m calling 911!” Moses knew that he was on Mount Sinai, the original. He most assuredly was not complacent about his own accomplishments. Yet down below, his people, who were more valuable than his own life, were about to be destroyed. At all costs, he was prepared to defend them. However, after his initial success, he discovered that the nation was about to lose their special, unique relationship that they had enjoyed earlier with G-d. This was serious. His people’s lives, indeed, his own life, was about to change, and for the worse. So Moses picked up the phone again and dialed 911. “You can’t leave an angel in charge,” he argued. “That’s like speaking to the operator when what you need is a doctor.”

Still Moses wanted more. Being sick for G-d’s soothing presence, he asked to spiritually feast on the face of the Omnipotent. For Moses’ only concern was to attain the greatest degree of spirituality that man could possibly reach. Nothing else mattered. But Hashem responded that if that level is attained, the soul will flee from its mortal constraints and refuse to reenter a corporeal being.

So while Moses had to accept the limited level a physical body could endure his quest to go higher than Sinai taught us an invaluable lesson. No matter what level you’re on; if you are standing on earth you must reach for the mountain, and when you are standing on the mountain you must reach for the clouds. And if you are standing on the clouds you must reach for the stars.