When Moses does not return
when expected from Mount Sinai, the people make a
Golden Calf and worship it. G-d proposes to destroy
the errant nation, but Moses intercedes on their
behalf. Moses descends from the mountain carrying
the Tablets of the Testimony engraved with the Ten
Commandments; seeing the people dancing about their
idol, he breaks the Tablets, destroys the Golden
Calf and has the primary culprits put to death. He
then returns to G-d to say: "If You do not forgive
them, blot me out from the book that You have
written."
G-d forgives, but
says that the effect of their sin will be felt for
many generations. At first G-d proposes to send His
angel along with them, but Moses insists that G-d
Himself accompany His people to the Promised Land.
Moses prepares a
new set of tablets and once more ascends the
mountain, where G-d re-inscribes the covenant on
these Second Tablets. On the mountain Moses is also
granted a vision of the divine Thirteen Attributes
of Mercy. So radiant is Moses' face upon his return,
that he must cover it with a veil, which he removes
only to speak with G-d and to teach His laws to the
people. |
