A Torah reflection from Louis Aiello, a member of the Team Friendship family.
Shabbat Shalom and Chag Sameach to y’all! This week we read the special Torah portion for Sukkot, from the book of Tisa, with the first reading being Chapter 33, verse 12, to verse 16.
Once again we backtrack, this time to the period of the golden calf. Up to this point, since Moshe hasn’t yet descended, many of the Israelites haven’t yet learned any of the mitzvot. Instead of praising Hashem for saving them from Egyptian bondage, they only doubled down in their idolatry. It’s only when Moshe begins his trek down from the mountain that he is informed by G-d of this travesty.
Hashem declares to him His desire to wipe them all away and start fresh with him, as a new Israel. This would make his sons, Gershom and Eliezer, the new Reuben and Simeon. Even though such a proclamation might be tempting, Moshe adamantly and unequivocally rejects the proposal. Instead, he explains how the other nations of the world would perceive this: that Hashem wasn’t merciful but wrathful. Incredibly, the Jewish people would be spared through Moshe’s merit alone.
Even though Hashem spared them, still He was deeply incensed and had no desire to remain for the rest of the journey. It’s at this moment that He declares He will be leaving their presence, with an angel taking His place. The angel in question happened to be Metatron, a no-nonsense kind of entity, incapable of feeling any sort of remorse. He wouldn’t put up with any Israelite squabbling. Absolutely, it could have been the end of everything, for no longer would Hashem be their protectorate. This is why this moment between Hashem and Moshe is so critical, for the whole fate of the Israelites would be sealed upon this one conversation.
The High Holidays are now coming to a close, as the awesome presence of our Father, our King, Avinu Malkeinu, is sadly withdrawing. Soon we will once again be involved in our daily routines. Yet regardless of this setback, even though it may at times seem as if Hashem has disappeared beyond the veil of clouds, He is still with us, for no angel was sent in His place.
We are now reaching the climactic period of Simchat Torah, when we will once again roll back the Torah. But before we do, we must first celebrate Hashem for providing us His shelter during these reflective times, with the wonderful festival of Sukkot. Hashem is merciful and not wrathful, for He only wants all of us to succeed in our endeavors. As with Moshe, we will carry our merit from these High Holidays through another year.
Sadly, today there is so much misunderstanding about what the High Holidays mean. It’s not just the beginning of a new year. Miraculously, it’s our own rebirth, where we are given that second chance at life, as Hashem gave us when we all sinned at Sinai. Truly, Hashem is the only reason why we are here. That we are even able to contemplate these momentous periods is in itself beyond understanding. Indeed, the Messianic Age is coming, and when it does, it will be announced to the world how Hashem truly is our Father, our King, Avinu Malkeinu, our G-d, Elokeinu, and that there is none other like Him.
May these 25 hours of Shabbat be a reminder to all of you of how special it is to have our sukkot and the ability to dwell in the presence of Hashem.
Personally for me, Hashem has always been my protectorate. I came to Baltimore for conversion, but at the same time I came for work. I transferred for a managerial promotion, and at first I was super excited. However, as the months passed, I came to realize the job may not have been what was best for me.
This realization was very hard to accept at first, for I became very afraid of the financial ramifications of leaving. Eventually I could not deny it any longer, and against my will, I quit, continuing my services for my company elsewhere at the same pay. Not more than a month later, I was informed that corporate was permanently closing our site, and all management would lose their employment. Because I listened to Hashem and followed His guidance, no matter how difficult, I was able to keep my employment by transferring to a different site. May this Shabbat and Yom Tov sow and elevate our hearts and uplift them with bestowed blessings and shalom. 😃❤