Understanding the Parsha according to the teachings of the Rebbe
QUESTION: How does a collected coin atone for the serious incident of the Golden Calf? Why did HaShem have to show Moshe a coin of fire and not just hand him a coin?
ANSWER: The coin of fire symbolized the ability to harmonize two opposites; one’s calm nature with the fervor and dynamism of change (Teshuvah). The sin of the Calf was the denial of the Unity of G-d. A coin given without feelings is cold and lifeless. But a coin given with the warmth of one’s essence can atone for the gravest sin. Thus, the half shekel displays our faith in HaShem as the partner in the whole Shekel. (לקוטי שיחות כרך א, עמ' 178)
QUESTION: למה הי יחרה אפך בעמך (שמות לב, יא) Moshe responded to HaShem’s “threat” to destroy the Jewish people after the Golden Calf. How did this response help Moshe’s plea?
ANSWER: Moshe said there was no real case against the Jews. If the Golden Calf had any substance of being a god, then maybe a place exists for jealousy. However, since no substance existed, then the action is just one of “stupidity” and does not warrant a great penalty like wiping them out. Moshe was indicating that the essence of a Jew is never torn away from G-d (even in a time of sin) (לקוטי שיחות כרך טז, עמ' 402)
QUESTION: What is the purpose of placing the broken pieces of the first Luchos in the Aron together with the whole second Luchos? Even more so, why refer to the broken first Luchos which bring to mind the severe sin of the Jews that caused the breaking of the first Luchos?
ANSWER: The breaking of the first Luchos was necessary in order for the Jews to properly receive the Oral Torah and the second Luchos; the Jews needed the concept of being broken (humility) in addition to the selection of being uplifted (1st Luchos) to fully function with the limitless Torah. (לקוטי שיחות כרך כו, עמ' 248)
QUESTION: How is possible for Moshe not eat or drink while on top of Har Sinai? Isn’t this against halacha for one to attempt to fast for such a long period?
ANSWER: Three reasons are given for how Moshe was able to exist without eating, and not violate the halacha. And each of these reasons corresponds to the function of the three 40-day periods. 1) Supernatural – a miracle kept Moshe alive, during the period when receiving the miraculous Torah. 2) Natural – Moshe so immersed, didn’t feel hungry, he was immersed in seeking forgiveness 3) Fusion of natural and supernatural – Moshe became like an angel that does not need to eat; his natural functions elevated to the supernatural. So too, in this period Moshe received the second Luchos which enable elevation of the physical to the highest levels. (לקוטי שיחות כרך לו, עמ' 172)
QUESTION: Why is Shabbos and its laws discussed here at such length, when it was already covered in detail as part of the Ten Commandments?
ANSWER: The Ten Commandments speaks of Shabbos in and of itself. Our portion addresses the effect that Shabbos has on the Jewish people. Our Sages derive the concept of the additional soul specifically from the verses in our Torah portion. Our rest on Shabbos entails a complete change and elevation within the Jew. And this is the additional soul, G-d’s gift to us. (לקוטי שיחות כרך לא, עמ' 191)
