Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary

Aliya-by-Aliya for Parashat Ki Tisa

Numbers in [square brackets] are the Mitzva-counts of Sefer HaChinuch AND Rambam’s Sefer HaMitzvot. A=ASEI (positive mitzva); L=LAV (prohibition) - Rambam counts positives (248) and prohibitions (365) separately. X:Y is the perek and pasuk from which the mitzva is counted.
[P> X:Y (Z)] and [S> X:Y (Z)] indicate start of a parsha p’tucha or s’tuma respectively. X:Y is Perek:Pasuk of the beginning of the parsha; (Z) is the number of p’sukim in the parsha.

Kohen - First Aliya - 45 p’sukim - 30:11-31:17

There are three sedras that have fewer p’sukim than the first Aliya of Ki Tisa. It’s the longest First Aliya in the Torah, by far (but not the longest for Monday, Thursday, and previous Shabbat Mincha reading, since we don’t read all of this first Aliya at those times - Eikev’s is the longest in that category, or Mas’ei according to the opinion that we should read of the “travelog”). The reason it is so long is so that the episode of the Golden Calf will be in the second Aliya, which is read by/for a Levi - the only one who need not be embarrassed, so to speak, by the story of the Calf.

[P> 30:11 (6)] The first 6 p’sukim of the sedra are the portion of the Mitzva of the Silver Half-Shekel [105,A171 31:13], which we just read three weeks ago as the Maftir for Parshat Sh’kalim.

MitzvaWatch
The half-shekel was used to count the People and to create the fund for the purchase of communal offerings throughout the year, as well as other spiritual needs of the community. The half-shekel was required of males from age 20 and up. It was optional for women. (Since the half-shekels were used to count the standing army, it was necessary to keep separate records of a woman’s optional contribution. Nonetheless, women could participate in this mitzva.) Although Kohanim were also required to give a half-shekel, they were not forced by the courts in the way that non-kohanim were, as a courtesy to their standing and function in society. Sh’kalim were NOT accepted from non-Jews. (There were funds in the Beit HaMikdash to which a non-Jew may contribute, but NOT the half-shekel. It is sort of like membership dues in Klal Yisrael - for members only.) Collection took place in Adar, so that the fund would be ready for Nissan, the beginning of the “Beit HaMikdash year”.

The mitzva applies during the time of the Beit HaMikdash, at which time even Jews living abroad contributed.

Without the Beit HaMikdash, we do not perform the mitzva, but we have commemorative practices, namely the reading of Parshat Sh’kalim (on the Shabbat of or right before Rosh Chodesh Adar, which was when Sh’kalim were “announced”) and the giving Zeicher L’Machatzit HaShekel before Megila reading (there is an connection between our mitzva of Sh’kalim and the sh’kalim that Haman promised the king in return for permission to kill the Jews in the kingdom).
We can say that participation in the mitzva of the Half-Shekel indicated that a person wanted to be part of Klal Yisrael, thereby including the individual in the atonement of the People.

Remember: Today we don’t give Machatzit HaShekel, we just commemorate it. This is an important distinction.

[P> 30:17 (5)] The next portion deals with the Laver and its stand (KIYOR V’KANO), for the Kohanim to wash their hands and feet before their sacred work [106,A204 30:19]. A kohen who does not wash (sanctify) his hands and feet before doing “service” in the Beit HaMikdash is liable to “death from Heaven” and the korban he has brought is invalid.

What might this say to us? Our Sages have commanded us to wash our hands before eating a bread-meal. There are several p’sukim in the Torah that are considered to be the inspiration for the mitzva to wash our hands. This is one of them, based on the famous concept that our (dining) table is like the Altar. We are challenged to elevate the mundane act of eating and invest it with a spirituality which is the hallmark of Judaism and a Torah way of life.

Before we approach our “Altar” to serve G-d, we too wash our hands. Just like the Kohen. Well, not really. We wash hands only. And not with the same penalty for not washing properly (thank G-d). Could you imagine a Heavenly death penalty for not washing for HaMotzi? No. But the comparison SHOULD prompt some serious reflection on our part, and hopefully, an improvement of the way we relate to this everyday mitzva.

Concerning our Netilat Yadayim, a person should examine his own observance of mitzvot. First, am I careful about washing for HaMotzi? I am? Good. Am I careful to dry my hands BEFORE washing, so that the water has its intended purpose of removing ritual impurity in the best way. It might seem like a small matter, but there are opinions that washing wet hands does not fulfill the mitzva properly (depending upon the amount of water used). And do I properly dry my hands after washing? And do I complete the bracha before my hands are completely dry? Another small detail, but important in its own way. Am I careful not to interrupt between washing and HaMotzi? Of course. Good. I don’t talk until after HaMotzi (actually, there should be no talking until after the first swallow of the first bite of the HaMotzi). But silence is also an interruption (less severe) and one should try to minimize the gap between washing and HaMotzi. It’s not always practical, but it can be done. The point is, to THINK about what we do and why we do it, and HOW we do it. Washing for HaMotzi is an example of a mitzva that is easy to take for granted, to go on “automatic pilot”. But if we do, we’ll be missing so much. Let’s wash better, bench better, daven better, do mitzvot better, treat each other better. Let’s be thinking and feeling Torah Jews all across the board.

[P> 30:22 (12)] Next follows the command to take specific quantities of various spices, mix them with olive oil, and prepare the special “anointing oil”. The Kohen Gadol and kings of Israel are to be anointed with this oil [107,A35 30:31], as were the sacred vessels of the Mikdash. It is forbidden to use this oil for personal use [108, L84 30:32], or even to dare dishonor the Mikdash by copying the spiced oil for personal use [109,L83 30:32].

[S> 30:34 (5)] We are next commanded to compound the K’toret, the incense offered twice daily in the Mikdash. The mitzva of K’toret is presented and counted in T’tzaveh; here we have the prohibition of compounding the same formula for personal use [110,L85 30:37].

[S> 31:1 (11)] G-d tells Moshe that B’tzalel shall be in charge of the actual construction and fashioning of the Mishkan and its contents. His assistant shall be Aholiav of Dan, and a team of skilled artisans shall join in the work. All the objects in and of the Mishkan are enumerated, as the task-list of B’tzalel and his team.

[P> 31:12 (6)] At this point, G-d reminds Moshe that the Shabbat may not be violated, even for the construction of the Mishkan. (We might have thought otherwise, due to the sacredness of the endeavor, hence, this reminder.) Shabbat is the eternal sign between G-d and the People of Israel.

SDT: Shabbat and Mikdash “rub elbows” several times in the Torah. They complement each other, in that Mikdash represents the Sanctity of Place, and Shabbat represents the Sanctity of Time. One may not build the Mikdash on Shabbat, but the functioning in the Mikdash “pushes aside” Shabbat. And we learn many rules and details for Shabbat from the construction of the Mishkan. There is an equation of sorts, certainly a link established, with the pasuk - My Shabbats you shall preserve, and my Mikdash you shall revere.

SDT: We know that Shabbat steps aside for Piku’ach Nefesh (life-threatening situations) and for Communal Offerings in the Beit HaMikdash (and for testifying for Kidush HaChodesh). That these things are able to be done on Shabbat, we learn from specific sources in the text of the Torah. That Shabbat steps aside for ANYTHING is learned from the passage here - ACH ET SHABTOTAI TISHMORU. The word ACH - but, however - is generally considered to be limiting. My Shabbats you shall keep, would mean, with no exceptions. ACH - indicates that there are situations when that which is usually forbidden on Shabbat is to be done. Again, what the specific things are, are learned from other p’sukim. The ACH here teaches us the general state of affairs - Shabbat can be “violated”, under specific circumstances. [Note It is not the word ACH that teaches us its meaning; it is our Oral Law that teaches us the meaning of the ACH, when it applies and when it doesn’t.]

Levi - Second Aliya - 47 p’sukim - 31:18-33:11

The longest Second Aliya in the Torah, tied with that of Parshat Pinchas in number of p’sukim, but longer in words and letters.

[S> 31:18 (7)] The Torah now returns to telling us of Matan Torah, which was “interrupted” (so to speak) by the parshiyot of the Mishkan, i.e. all of T’ruma and T’tzaveh and the first part of Ki Tisa. G-d gives Moshe the Tablets of stone… (meanwhile, back in the camp…) When the People saw (or thought) that Moshe was delayed in returning from Sinai, they feared that they would be leaderless, and they appealed to Aharon to do something. Exactly what he did is the subject of different opinions, but his delaying tactic resulted in the emergence of the Golden Calf. Most of the people were confused and did nothing (that was
part of the problem), but 3000 men arose and reveled in the Calf, declaring it the god of Israel.

[P> 32:7 (8)] G-d told Moshe to look at what the People were doing in his absence. G-d indicates to Moshe that the People are deserving of destruction.
The first part of Moshe’s reaction is PRAYER. (This isn’t always first on his list, but it is here. Part of the greatness of Moshe Rabeinu is his knowing when to pray long, when short, and when to take action immediately and leave prayer for later. This is something that we should try to learn from him). His petition before G-d starts with the practical argument, “What will Egypt say?”. Then Moshe mentions the Avot and asks G-d to forgive the people because of them, and the promises G-d had made to them. The combination of these two points seem to succeed, because Moshe is “rewarded” with G-d’s expression of regret (so to speak) for what He had said He would do to the people.

These arguments of Moshe on our behalf do not include our own merit - just the Chilul HaShem factor and promises to the Avot. This idea finds itself expressed very clearly in the haftara. Note, however, that this is the haftara for Parshat Para - not for Ki Tisa. Nonetheless, the haftara echoes the sedra. Specifically, it is the former argument, what we called the Chilul HaShem factor that is stressed in the haftara. “Therefore, tell the house of Israel, thus says HaShem: Not for you do I do… but for the sake of My holiness which you have defiled… This is repeated further on in the same portion. There is also a slight reference to the promises to the Avot.

[P> 32:15 (21)] Next, Moshe turns and descends the mountain with the Luchot in his hands. When he sees the Calf, the Tablets either slip from his hands and break or he intentionally smashes them (opinions differ). He seizes the Calf, destroys it, spreads its ashes over the water, and prepares a potion for the people to drink. He asks Aharon what happened.

He calls to those “who are on G-d’s side”; the Leviyim rally to his call and kill those who dared “worship” the Calf.

On the following day (the exact sequence of events is debated by commentators), Moshe castigates the people, tells them of the enormity of their sin. Then he tells them that he is returning to G-d (so to speak) up the mountain, to continue pleading Israel’s case before G-d. G-d promises to punish those at fault.
[S> 33:1 (11)] As a result of the Golden Calf, G-d distances Himself from the People. He does, however, reiterate His promise to give them (us) the Land. And, He tells Moshe to have the people continue towards Eretz Yisrael, but without G-d in their midst. The People are distraught by G-d’s words. Moshe too removes himself and his tent from the midst of the camp. Moshe remains in direct contact with G-d… and Yehoshua was constantly in the Tent.

Shlishi - Third Aliya - 5 p’sukim - 33:12-16

[P> 33:12 (5)] Moshe argues that G-d must remain in the midst of the People in order to demonstrate that He truly chose us. One senses the unique relationship between G-d and Moshe that permits Moshe to speak to Him the way he does. At the same time that our relationship with G-d was changing because of the Golden Calf, Moshe was asking G-d for a more intimate under- standing of the Divine Essence.

R’vi’i - Fourth Aliya - 7 p’sukim - 33:17-23
[P> 33:17 (7)] G-d agrees to Moshe’s request, because of His special feelings towards Moshe. Then Moshe asks that G-d reveal more of Himself to him (Moshe). G-d tells Moshe that such a revelation is impossible, but that Moshe will be able to experience more of G-d’s essence. This, with the understanding that it won’t be everything. The p’sukim in this portion of very enigmatic.

Here’s a thought… Is it not strange that specifically when Bnei Yisrael is/are in the midst of a very rough time that Moshe asks G-d to reveal Himself to Moshe more than He already has? Perhaps Moshe had a bit of a “spiritual panic” in that G-d, Who had been so close to the people at Sinai was about to distance Himself from us. And Moshe feared that he too would lose out. Mixed with his efforts on behalf of the people, Moshe wants to safeguard and enhance the relationship that he has with HaShem. This will also help in his pleading for and leading the people.

Chamishi 5th Aliya - 9 p’sukim - 34:1-9

[P> 34:1 (26)] This portion (read on Fast Days) contains the 13 Divine Attributes. One can say that not only did G-d forgive the People for the Golden Calf, but He also gave them (us) the method of approaching Him in prayer. Not only are we to recite these 13 Attributes, but we must emulate as many of them as possible. “Just as He is merciful, so too must we be merciful…” In this way we will KNOW His Attributes, live by them, and not just mechanically recite them.
G-d next tells Moshe to cut new stones to replaced the ones he had broken. Moshe again ascends Sinai to receive the Luchot, the Attributes, and Divine Forgiveness. This 40 day period - Elul through Yom Kippur, become days of special closeness between G-d and us.

Shishi - Sixth Aliya - 17 p’sukim - 34:10-26

Our position relative to other nations is conditional upon our keeping of the mitzvot. We are forbidden to make covenants with the nations in Eretz Yisrael. Specifically, we are forbidden to eat or drink of idolatrous offerings [111, this is the only mitzva counted by the Chinuch that is not on Rambam’s list; there is one Rambam mitzva that the Chinuch doesn’t count. 34:15]. All this to avoid falling to their temptations and to avoid intermarriage. We must destroy their idols.

We are commanded to keep Pesach in the Spring. (This is one of the p’sukim responsible for our two Adars.) In a direct link to the Exodus, we have three types of B’CHOR mitzvot - human (which must be redeemed), kosher farm animals (which are given as a gift to a kohen and may not be redeemed, but are holy and to be brought as a korban - this mitzva exists today, even without a Mikdash, rendering this mitzva highly problematic. Hence, our Sages commanded us to avoid this mitzva by taking a non-Jew as partner in the owner- ship of the pregnant animal.), and donkey (which should be redeemed - PIDYON PETER CHAMOR) - a mitzva which also applies in our time and does not have the problematic side since there is no sanctity involved, just a prohibition of benefiting from the baby donkey until it is redeemed. Hence, the Shulchan Aruch forbids one to use their suggestion for the kosher animals in order to get out of this mitzva. In fact, every so often one hears of a Pidyon Peter Chamor here in Israel.

Shavuot and Sukkot complete the cycle of the Pilgrimage Festivals; males are required to appear at the Beit HaMikdash (and not empty- handed). This mitzva (and others) guarantees our hold of the Land. Shabbat and the Land’s Shabbat, Shmita [112,A135 34:21], are mentioned.

Korban Pesach may not be offered while its owner has Chametz, nor may we leave K.P. over to the morning.

Bikurim are to be brought to the Mikdash and meat-milk mixtures (that are cooked together) may not be eaten [113,L187 34:26]. Rabbinic law forbids eating mixtures of milk and meat even if they have not been cooked.

Sh’VII - Seventh Aliya - 9 p’sukim - 34:27-35

[P> 34:27 (9)] G-d commands Moshe to write the Torah (and not the Oral Law and explanations, which must be transmitted orally). Moshe spent 40 days and nights on Har Sinai, not eating or drinking, during which time, the second set of Luchot were written.

When Moshe came down from the Mountain, he was unaware of the spiritual radiance that glowed on his face. Aharon and the People were afraid to approach. Moshe called to Aharon and the Leaders of the People, and spoke to them words of Torah and their explanation. Then all the people came to Moshe to be taught what G-d had spoken to him at Sinai.

When Moshe finished speaking to the people, he covered his face with a hood (mask/veil), which he removed whenever he spoke to G-d. He would then transmit G-d’s words to the people.

This would be repeated over and over again. Moshe would cover his face until the time he communicated with G-d.

Maftir - 2nd Torah - 22 p’sukim; Bamidbar 19
Parshat Para is read on the Shabbat before Parshat HaChodesh which presents us with the mitzvot of Korban Pesach, because the most common and important time for ritual purification on the part of most of the people was around the beginning of Nissan, as part of one’s preparation to be in Jerusalem for Pesach and to bring and eat K.P. Parshat Para from Parshat Chukat, contains the mitzvot of Para Aduma - that is, the preparing of the potion from the ashes of the Red Heifer, the general mitzva of the concept of ritual limpurity from contact with a corpse, and the mitzvas of purifying oneself with the Para Aduma potion.

Parshat PARA is considered by some to be a Torah requirement, similar to Parshat Zachor.

Haftara - 23 p’sukim - Yechezkeil 36:16-38
S’faradim end 2 p’sukim earlier

The Haftara takes the concept (from the Maftir) of an individual becoming TAMEI and requiring purification with special water as an analogy for the people of Israel who defiled themselves with the sin of idolatry and other sins, and their (our) need for a purification process with “G-d’s spiritual waters of the Torah”.
[In Va’eira, we find G-d’s promise to take us unto Him and then He will bring us to Eretz Yisrael, in the haftara, the order is switched.]

The last p’sukim refer to a multitude of sheep - for sacrifices… This is a reminder of the large number of sheep brought to Yerushalayim for Korban Pesach.
S’fas Emes explains the fact that Para follows Zachor: Amalek is the source of the deepest impurity. We therefore, need the purification of the Para Aduma to cleanse our souls from the defilement that stems from Amalek.

• Other Aliya-by-Aliya Sedra Summary
• Aliya by Aliya Sedra Summary
• The 6th of the 8 Terms
• Aliya by Aliya Sedra Summary