in which God gives Moses instructions on collecting the tax for the building of the Tabernacle, consecration of the priests, Tabernacle and the Communion Tent. Shabbat must still be observed during construction of the Tabernacle as a sign of God"s covenant with the Israelites. God gives Moses the two tablets written with God"s finger. In the meantime, the people do not know what happenned to Moses and construct the Golden Calf, God wants to destroy them, Moses pleads for them, comes down from the mountain, destroys the Golden Calf and orders the faithful to God kill the idolaters. 3000 people are killed that day. Moses goes up to God to ask for atonement, and God strikes people with plague and then sends them on to the Promised Land but refuses to go with them and orders them to take off their jewelry. Moses sets up a tent at a distance from the camp and God communes with Moses there. Moses asks God what would it take for the Israelites to please him. God promises to accompany the people and show himself to Moses in as much as it is possible without killing Moses. God shows himself to Moses, promises to show mercy to the Israelites, writes the two new tablets, warns Moses against any treaties with the peoples of the Promised Land and gives instructions on the Holidays and offerings. Moses comes down from the mountain with his face luminous and passes God"s instructions on to the Israelites.
The rich may not give more, and the poor may not give less... It is an offering to God to atone for your lives.
judith prays
Holy time makes holy space.
Shabbos
shadows weave their lace.
In
the candlelight - dear face.
Wine
and challah - comfort’s grace.
Calm
erases worry’s trace.
Conversation’s
measured pace..
Peace
and quiet we embrace
***
Rest
and tension interlace
as
Havdalah takes its place.
***
Holy
time leaves bustling space.
by Nina Prays