Kitisa – RSVP Please

Kitisa – RSVP Please

February 26/27, 2016  Adar1 17/18, 5776

32:1 Now when the people saw that Moses delayed coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, "Come, and make us G-ds that shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man who brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we do not know what has become of him."

2. And Aaron said to them, "Break off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me."

3. So all the people broke off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron.

4. And he received the gold from their hand, and he fashioned it with an engraving tool, and made a molded calf. Then they said, "This is your G-d, Oh Israel that brought you out of the land of Egypt!"

5. So when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it. And Aaron made a proclamation and said, "Tomorrow is a festival for G-d.'

6. Then they rose early on the next day, offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play.

7. And G-d said to Moses, "Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.

8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a molded calf, and worshiped it and sacrificed to it, and said, 'This is your G-d, O Israel that brought you out of the land of Egypt!'"

9 And G-d said to Moses, "I have seen this people, and indeed it is a stiff-necked people!

In just SIX short weeks after The Torah was given and received at Mt Sinai, the masses descended to a deeply disturbing behavior when Moses was not among them; the sinful behavior of Idolatrous worship!

G-d was ready to annihilate the nation for such a betrayal, but Moses steps up and pleas with such sincerity of prayer for forgiveness!

Does this mean, we as people can commit a crime, tell a blatant lie, hurt another life, and then immediately pray for forgiveness? And then, all is fine?   Obviously the answer is, of course not! Not even close!!!!  

Then why did G-d change his/her mind?  G-d didn't!   It was Moses' true sincerity of prayer.  It was Moses who actually was transformed/changed.  With the act of sincere prayer, and deep trust from within your soul, a person becomes a different being, transcending his/herself of sins and failures and now stands before G-D as a NEW being!   It’s NOT just one prayer (in the instance of Moses and the Nation’s sins), but it is one’s constant choices of making the most correct decision day in and day out, not just on Shabbat (The Sabbath) and davening (praying), and one’s own growth plays an integral part, like that of Moses’ choice through his life!  It’s being loyal, reverent, faithful, honest, and standing for the right thing day in and day out, each and every day, not only when people are watching!  G-d is watching!  Do we as Humans trip and stumble sometimes?  Yes, we do – that’s part of the process!

With sincere prayer and a soul of Gold, an invitation is very present; a great opportunity to come closer to G-d.  Sincere prayer requires us to leave our TV, computer, cell phones, Gaming systems and other ‘comforts’, and really have a relationship with G-d, be it communal (at Temple or in a group) or on an individual basis (alone, by oneself); AND, I am always available to pray with, to talk with, or lend a hand, even via Skype, Facetime, Google Hangouts,etc. or on the phone if you so choose.  Or maybe, take some of your time, and sit in a quiet and serene place alone and speak with G-d- at home, in the garden, on a hike....Nature works wonders for the spiritual soul. 

The invitation has been sent; it’s up to you to R.S.V.P. with sincere intent!