Ki Tisa

Exodus 30:11−34:35

Veiling And Unveiling

Moses was sensitive to the needs of the people, changing his appearance in order to enhance their ability to communicate with him.

By Rabbi Aaron D. Mehlman; Provided by the Orthodox Union, the central coordinating agency for North American Orthodox congregations.

When Moses returns from Mount Sinai after forty days and nights, he descends with more than just the second set of luchos (tablets).

Moses brings the very Shechinah (divine presence) with him as well.

The Torah teaches that after receiving the Law, Moses’ face shone. The Daas Zekeinim Mibaalei Tosafos (collection of comments by the Tosafists of the 12th and 13th centuries in France and Germany) explains that the luminosity of Moses face was, in fact, the light of the Shechinah. Hashem transferred the splendor of His presence to Moses in order to assure a post-golden-calf Klal Yisrael (people of Israel) that no other leader was as worthy as Moses. Subsequently, they unanimously received him as their leader.

Fearing the Light

When the Jews saw the light, however, they became fearful and reluctant to approach Moses. They kept their distance from him. Rashi comments that before the sin of the golden calf the Jews were able to withstand the Shechinah on Mount Sinai in all its glory and holiness. But now they were unable to endure mere beams of light from Moses face. From this we see the debilitating effect of sin.

In an attempt to lure them back, Moses veiled his face in their presence. He only removed the veil when conversing with Hashem.

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