However we want to understand the sin of the Golden Calf, it reveals something important about our experience of receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai. Coming so close in its aftermath, one would have to conclude something was missing to explain how the Israelites were capable of such a moral failure. Indeed, the Talmud in Shabbat explores that issue and the commentators offer different approaches. But what everyone seems to agree on is that whatever was missing at that moment was made whole by the miracle of Purim. The fact that God protected the Jewish nation even in their moment of extreme vulnerability, out of their land and subjugated by a foreign power, was enough to finally complete their acceptance of the yolk of Torah.
Rabbi Jonathan Glass
Congratulations to all who made last night's Purim experience absolutely stupendous! Thanks again to Eitan Goldman, Paul Schaeffer and Leah Davidovitz for the carnival and Wendy Friedland and Stephanie Bianchi for the fabulous shpiel. Special thanks to Hezi and Alessandra Torati for their generous sponsorship.
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