Parsha discussion

  Question: 32:12 How does this fit in with the story of the עגל הזהב where הקב״ה specifically tells משה that He will not lead the people in the desert? Approach: We can perhaps relate this to the concept of הסתר פנים and השגחה. Ultimately, even during a time when הקב״ה is “angry” at his people, nonetheless there is still an element of השגחה that leads the people as a whole, even if it is not as manifest as in other times.

  Question:  Why is it assumed that the sin for which the punishments of the last פרשה will be applied to is specifically עבודה זרה ? Approach: as virtually stated explicitly, service of הקב״ה is a two way street by virtue of the various covenants made. The sin of עבודה זרה is the most explicit expression of actively breaking the covenant on the human side, and hence the most obvious reason for punishment to befall the nation.

  Question:  How does the לוי have cause to be happy with ביכורים? Approach: A closer reading would seem to imply that the לוי (as well as the גר) has cause to celebrate with the farmer for general good fortune, as their "income" is predicated on the general economy, as they have no independent source of income and food themselves. So, the farmer himself, via the ביכורים, realises to praise הקב"ה for the bounty that he has been provided, and his demeanour will rub off on the people whom he is able to support.