Ki-Tisa (Exodus 30:11 – 34:35)

The portion is named Ki-Tisa, literally “when you shall take”, because it begins with instructions to Moses as to how to take a census of the people without bringing a plague upon them. This is connected to a biblical belief the ordinary counting of the people can bring bad luck upon them, and therefore, biblical censes conducted properly never include direct counting of the people.

The portion begins with instructions for taking a census of the Israelites. Each male Israelite 20 years old or older is to bring half a shekel, regardless of their financial ability – the poor cannot bring less and the rich cannot bring more. The money will be used for the work of the Tabernacle, and the sum collected will indicate the number of males participating. Add here what I originally wrote above: without bringing a plague upon them. This is connected to a biblical belief the ordinary counting of the people can bring bad luck upon them, and therefore, biblical censes conducted properly never include direct counting of the people.

The portion then continues to discuss the preparations that are to be made for the Tabernacle: the brass sink which is to be built and the different spices which are to be used to make the incense.

Moses is then given instructions to call upon Bezalel from the tribe of Judah, the craftsman who is responsible for making the furnishings of the Tabernacle. The people are then warned that they must keep the Sabbath.

All the instructions as to the building of the Tabernacle were given to Moses on Mount Sinai. After some time, the Israelites see that Moses had not yet returned, and demand of Aaron that he build them a God to lead them. Aaron commands the people to collect gold from their family members, and the people bring their gold and Aaron uses it to make a Golden Calf. The people worship the calf and declare it to be their god who brought them up from Egypt. God then sends Moses to the people, furious at what they have done. God wishes to destroy the people, but Moses asks for mercy and successfully begs God to change his mind. Moses then comes down to the people, holding the stone tablets which contain the Ten Commandments, and when he sees what they have done, he breaks the tablets. He then gathers all those who wish to fight for God, and the Tribe of Levi are those who join him. The Levites kill all those involved in the sin.

After this episode, God is furious with the people and announces that they will be punished and will not live to reach the promised land. Following the episode, Moses is somewhat estranged from

the people, and sets up his tent outside the camp.

Moses’ close relationship with God is further strengthened when Moses asks to see God’s glory and his wish is granted. Moses is commanded to make new tablets of stone instead of the ones he broke, and for forty days and forty nights he stays on Mount Sinai and is given commandments for the Israelites.