March 10 Ki Tissa Exodus 33:12-34:35

This portion of the Torah, Ki Tissa, begins with God's instruction to Moses to collect a half-shekel from every one over 20 years of age when he takes a census of the people. The skilled artisan, Betzalel, is appointed as the chief supervisor over the making of all the sanctuary furnishings and even the priestly garments. God reminds Moses of the importance of Shabbat, which celebrates the covenant between God and Israel. Our attention then focuses on what has been transpiring at the foot of the mountain while Moses is learning the Torah. Moses comes down the mount carrying the two tablets with the commandments. When he sees the people dancing around a golden calf they have made, he smashes the tablets in anger. Moses, worried that God will abandon the people, asks for and receives a sign from God that God will not depart. God directs Moses to return to Mt. Sinai and carve two new tablets. The portion ends with commandments regarding Passover, Shavuot and Shabbat. When Moses returns to the people after the second 40 days on Mt. Sinai, his face is glowing and radiant.