TORAH: Exodus 30:11-34:35
HAFTARAH: 1 Kings 18:1-39
GOSPEL: Mark 9:1-10
Portion Summary
Ki Tisa (כי תשא), the twenty-first reading from the Torah, literally means “when you lift up.” It comes from the first words of the second verse of the reading, which could be literally rendered, “When you lift up the head of the sons of Israel to reckon them” (Exodus 30:12). The phrase “lift up the head” is an idiom for taking a head count. The portion begins with instructions for taking a census, finishes up the instructions for making the Tabernacle, reiterates the commandment of Shabbat and then proceeds to tell the story of the golden calf. The majority of Ki Tisa is concerned with the sin of the golden calf, the breach in the covenant between God and Israel, and how Moses undertakes to restore that covenant relationship.
Portion Outline:
Torah
Exodus 30:11 | The Half Shekel for the Sanctuary
Exodus 30:17 | The Bronze Basin
Exodus 30:22 | The Anointing Oil and Incense
Exodus 31:1 | Bezalel and Oholiab
Exodus 31:12 | The Sabbath Law
Exodus 31:18 | The Two Tablets of the Covenant
Exodus 32:1 | The Golden Calf
Exodus 33:1 | The Command to Leave Sinai
Exodus 33:7 | The Tent outside the Camp
Exodus 33:12 | Moses’ Intercession
Exodus 34:1 | Moses Makes New Tablets
Exodus 34:10 | The Covenant Renewed
Exodus 34:29 | The Shining Face of Moses
Prophets
1Ki 18:1 | Elijah’s Message to Ahab
1Ki 18:20 | Elijah’s Triumph over the Priests of Baal
Portion Commentary:
He Negotiated for Forgiveness
Moses knew that he had found favor in God’s eyes. By deliberately identifying himself with Israel, he extended that favor to the whole nation.
After forty days of fasting in his tent of meeting, Moses began to negotiate with God. Ever since the sin of the golden calf, the LORD had not referred to Israel as His people. Rather, they were Moses’ people: “Your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt” (Exodus 32:7).
Moses, on the other hand, remained in God’s favor. As he negotiated for forgiveness and atonement, he banked heavily on God’s favor for him. He complained that, although he remained in God’s favor, he felt disfavored because he was told to lead the people without God’s presence.
The Hebrew word translated as “favor (chen, חן)” can also be translated as “grace.” Thus Moses argued for mercy and forgiveness on the basis of God’s grace toward him.
You have said, “I have known you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.” If I have found favor in Your sight, let me know Your ways that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight. Consider too, that this nation is Your people. (Exodus 33:12-13)
On the basis of Moses’ complaint, the LORD relented ever so slightly. Whereas previously He had declared that He would not go with Israel as they went up from Sinai, now He conceded that He would go with Moses. He said to Moses, “My presence shall go with you, and I will give you rest” (Exodus 33:14). Note that the pronoun “you” appears is in the singular form. The LORD only promised to go with Moses and give Moses rest. He did not say so regarding Israel, nor did He acknowledge them as His people.
Read complete commentary at First Fruits of Zion.
