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The people of Israel are told to each contribute exactly half a
shekel of silver to the Sanctuary. Instructions are also given
regarding the making of the Sanctuary's water-basin, anointing
oil and incense. "Wise hearted" artisans Betzalel and Ahaliav
are placed in charge of the Sanctuary's construction, and the
people are once again commanded to keep the Shabbat. |
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When Moses does not return
when expected from Mount Sinai,
the people make a Golden Calf
and worship it. G-d proposes to
destroy the errant nation, but
Moses intercedes on their
behalf. Moses descends from the
mountain carrying the Tablets of
the Testimony engraved with the
Ten Commandments; seeing the
people dancing about their idol,
he breaks the Tablets, destroys
the Golden Calf and has the
primary culprits put to death.
He then returns to G-d to say:
"If You do not forgive them,
blot me out from the book that
You have written."
G-d forgives, but says that
the effect of their sin will be
felt for many generations. At
first G-d proposes to send His
angel along with them, but Moses
insists that G-d Himself
accompany His people to the
Promised Land.
Moses prepares a new set of
tablets and once more ascends
the mountain, where G-d
reinscribes the covenant on
these Second Tablets. On the
mountain Moses is also granted a
vision of the divine Thirteen
Attributes of Mercy. So radiant
is Moses' face upon his return,
that he must cover it with a
veil, which he removes only to
speak with G-d and to teach His
laws to the people.
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