Parashat Ki Tissa

Parashat Ki Tissa finds us in the desert, at Mount Sinai, at a moment when big things are happening. We find ourselves building a golden calf; we find Moses shuttering the tablets with God’s writing; and we hear more about the Shabbat commandments. Important moments for the history of Israelites. But while reading and re-reading this parashah I noticed something new (the magic of re-reading the Torah!). I noticed a concept of teamwork, the importance of everyone giving so that a higher goal can be achieved.  

The parsahah starts with the commandment that every person who entered the census should pay a kind of investment for the Tent of Meeting. Both rich and poor are equally obligated: “The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than half a shekel.” Israelites working together towards something bigger and important. We then hear that God has singled out Bezalel, son of Uri, as a man who have “divine spirit of skill, ability, and knowledge in every kind of craft.” Additionally, God has assigned him Oholiab, son Ahisamach, and all the skillful men so they can all make what God has commanded them: “the Tent of Meeting, the Ark for the Pact and the cover upon it, and all the furnishings of the Tent.” Again, we see the Israelites combining their creativity and skills to make something bigger and important. Unfortunately, we also see Israelite men come together in providing their gold and jewelry to create a golden calf, something that caused them to sin and engage in idolatry.  

Parashat Ki Tissa highlights the profound power of teamwork in achieving a higher goal. It shows that when people come together, bringing their unique skills, resources, and efforts, they can accomplish something greater and bigger. And it also serves as a reminder of the dangers of misguided collective efforts, as we can see in the tragic creation of the golden calf.

The lesson is clear: teamwork, when focused on a higher, positive goal, has the power to lead to extraordinary accomplishments, but when diverted, it can lead to destructive consequences. We all have the power to choose how we act.

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