What would you like to do?
The Golden Calf (Exodus ch.32) was a case of taking the initiative.
It was an egregious error which was quickly and decisively stamped out. And while it was a serious offense, it may be a bit less of a puzzle if we consider the following:
1) It seemed that Moses had died (Rashi commentary, Exodus 32:1); and they wanted something or someone to lead them (Exodus 32:1). They felt that this (seemingly) drastic circumstance justified quickly taking unusual measures.
2) They had a tradition that they would eventually build an edifice to God (Rashi, Exodus 26:15); and, not yet having been commanded as to the details (the Tabernacle), they thought that they might now improvise.
3) The actual intent was not to worship the Golden Calf itself, but to worship the Presence of God (Exodus 32:5) which (they hoped) would dwell upon it.
4) The entire event was instigated by Egyptians (Rashi, Exodus 32:4) who had recently joined among the mixed multitude (Exodus 12:38).
5) Those who sinned were, at most, in the thousands (Exodus 32:28). Not hundreds of thousands.
6) That generation was judged by an exacting standard, precisely because they were on a high level (Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi).
7) In each era, there are different spiritual tests. The (main) test in ancient times was whether people would succumb to the lure of idolatry and its preludes. This powerful lure has since been emasculated (Talmud, Yoma 69b), so it is hard for us now to fully comprehend.
It was an egregious error which was quickly and decisively stamped out. And while it was a serious offense, it may be a bit less of a puzzle if we consider the following:
1) It seemed that Moses had died (Rashi commentary, Exodus 32:1); and they wanted something or someone to lead them (Exodus 32:1). They felt that this (seemingly) drastic circumstance justified quickly taking unusual measures.
2) They had a tradition that they would eventually build an edifice to God (Rashi, Exodus 26:15); and, not yet having been commanded as to the details (the Tabernacle), they thought that they might now improvise.
3) The actual intent was not to worship the Golden Calf itself, but to worship the Presence of God (Exodus 32:5) which (they hoped) would dwell upon it.
4) The entire event was instigated by Egyptians (Rashi, Exodus 32:4) who had recently joined among the mixed multitude (Exodus 12:38).
5) Those who sinned were, at most, in the thousands (Exodus 32:28). Not hundreds of thousands.
6) That generation was judged by an exacting standard, precisely because they were on a high level (Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi).
7) In each era, there are different spiritual tests. The (main) test in ancient times was whether people would succumb to the lure of idolatry and its preludes. This powerful lure has since been emasculated (Talmud, Yoma 69b), so it is hard for us now to fully comprehend.
Was this answer useful?
Archaeologists have discovered that the golden calf (with crescent horns) was a symbol of the moon god, used throughout the ancient Near East. There are two important references in the Old Testament, first when Aaron made the golden calf during the legendary Exodus, second when the king of Israel, Jeroboam, had two golden calves set up, and declared a public holiday, and the people rejoiced.
It is clear, at least from the reference to Jeroboam, that the Israelites worshipped the moon god. Other references demonstrate that this worship was of long standing, not merely a whim of one Israelite king.
The golden calf in Exodus was made while Joshua and Moses were on the mountain for just forty days. There is strong biblical evidence that Joshua was worshipped as a sun god before his story evolved in Hebrew legend to that of a mortal hero. If so, the symbolism of the story is that when the sun god is away (night time) then the people worship the moon god.
It is clear, at least from the reference to Jeroboam, that the Israelites worshipped the moon god. Other references demonstrate that this worship was of long standing, not merely a whim of one Israelite king.
The golden calf in Exodus was made while Joshua and Moses were on the mountain for just forty days. There is strong biblical evidence that Joshua was worshipped as a sun god before his story evolved in Hebrew legend to that of a mortal hero. If so, the symbolism of the story is that when the sun god is away (night time) then the people worship the moon god.
Was this answer useful?
According to the Tanach (Jewish Bible) and Jewish teachings, the
Israelites began to worship the golden calf because they began to
lose faith in HaShem (The Creator) because Moshe (Moses) was gone
for so long.
It is very important to note that the Tanach is very clear that it was only men who worshiped the calf and not a single female participated nor did any male from the tribe of Levi.
It is very important to note that the Tanach is very clear that it was only men who worshiped the calf and not a single female participated nor did any male from the tribe of Levi.
Was this answer useful?
Who fashioned the golden calf?
The Israelites fashioned the golden calf when Moses spent too much time conversing with God. They got scared and created an idol to worship. Moses came down and broke the firs…t ten commandments in anger. See this link: http://judaism.answers.com/kosher/the-complaints-in-the-wilderness-and-the-golden-calf
Why did the Hebrews make the golden calf?
The Hebrew people were polytheistic right down to the religious reforms of King Josiah, in the seventh century BCE, and some scholars say that these reforms were only partly …successful until at least the time of the Babylonian Exile. The notion of the Hebrews as monotheistic followers of God was written back into the history from the seventh century BCE onwards, but there are occasional glimpses of what the Israelites really believed. Of course, the story of the golden calf in the Exodus from Egypt should not be read as suggesting that the Israelites foolishly thought that if they made an idol and worshipped it, then good things would happen. Nor should it be read as suggesting that the Israelites suddenly decided to worship animals. The golden calf was a symbol of the moon god, whom the early Israelites worshipped. We see a further reference to the golden calf at 1 Kings chapter 12, the Israelite king Jeroboam made two calves of gold, setting one up in Bethel and one in Dan. He made priests and ordained a national feast day to the god symbolised by these calves, and the people came to worship. The story of the golden calf on the Exodus from Egypt is no doubt legendary, but it reflects the very real beliefs of the Hebrew people in the first millennium BCE, when the Bible was being written.
Who created the golden calf?
Actually who created the golden calf not moses brother ( Aaron ) but he is a man called samiri . and he is one of moses group . But the bible didnt mention for that . read the… real story from Qura'an then u will know clearly everything . Christian View: It depends which golden calf. At one point in the Bible, Moses went up to Mount Sinai, but he took quite a while coming back. The Israelites thought he was dead and started getting restless. ' Make us an idol!' they complained to Aaron. So Aaron made a golden calf for the people made up of their golden jewelry. (this did not go unpunished) Then at another time, the king of Israel was furious because all of his people went to Judah to worship there because the temple was there. So he made two golden calves for his people to worship at.
Why was Aaron not punished for making the golden calf?
Moses interceded for Aaron. The instigators of the rebellion were punished since they had asked for the calf.
What is the name of the golden calf?
The Bible has several references to the Israelites worshipping the golden calf, which we now know represented the moon god. During the third dynasty of Ur (c 2060 - 1950…), the moon god, Sin, was represented in the the form of a golden calf with crescent-shaped horns and a long flowing beard of lapis lazuli. C L Woolley (Ur Excavations: The Royal Cemetery) shows several images found in his excavations of the royal graves at Ur. That these images are of the god Sin can be seen by the following description found in a Sumero-Akkadian hymn to that god: "Ferocious bull, whose horn is thick, whose legs are perfected, who is bearded in lapsis, and filled with luxury and abundance." The moon god went under different names at different times and in different regions. That the Hebrew people knew him by the name 'Sin' is attested in Exodus 17:1, "And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin ..." Theologians have long sought to identify the exact location of this wilderness, because they took a narrow and literalist view. The wilderness of Sin (ie the moon) is simply night time, and after several verses inserted late into the passage, the reason is clear. After leaving the widerness of Sin, Moses and Joshua fight the Amalek until going down of the sun. However, there is no certainty that the Israelites only used the name Sin for the moon god. Some scholars believe that the stories of the Hebrew patriarchs originally developed out of a story of the moon god. On this view, 'Jacob' may have been a commonly used name for the moon god, represented by the golden calf.
Why did Israel make the golden calf?
Israel built the golden calf because they didn't think god was real so instead they made a new god
What examples are there for worship of the golden calf?
The Bible has several references to the Israelites worshipping the golden calf, such as during the Exodus and in the northern kingdom of Israel shortly after Jeroboam b…egan his reign. However the Hebrew people were not the only people to worship this deity. During the third dynasty of Ur (c 2060 - 1950), the moon god, Sin, was represented in the the form of a golden calf with crescent-shaped horns and a long flowing beard of lapis lazuli. C L Woolley (Ur Excavations: The Royal Cemetery) shows several images found in his excavations of the royal graves at Ur. That these images are of the god Sin can be seen by the following description found in a Sumero-Akkadian hymn to that god: "Ferocious bull, whose horn is thick, whose legs are perfected, who is bearded in lapsis, and filled with luxury and abundance." The bull was a symbol of fertility in the ancient Near East, and the evolution from calf to bull represented the waxing and waning of the moon. The moon in turn is associated with a woman's menstrual cycle. Since the moon god was the son of El, the father of the gods, it is rational that El was also at times seen as a bull, and this is reflected in Ugaritic myths that sometimes refer to El as "Bull El".
What did Moses do with the golden calf?
he broke it and burned it
Why did Jehovah not kill Aron for making the golden calf?
Why was Aaron not punished for making the golden calf? Despite his privileged position, Aaron had his shortcomings. During Moses' first 40-day stay on Mount Sinai, "the people… congregated themselves about Aaron and said to him: 'Get up, make for us a god who will go ahead of us, because as regards this Moses, the man who led us up out of the land of Egypt, we certainly do not know what has happened to him.'" (Ex 32:1) Aaron acceded and cooperated with these rebellious ones in making a golden calf statue. (Ex 32:2-6) When later confronted by Moses, he gave a weak excuse. (Ex 32:22-24) However, Jehovah did not single him out as the prime wrongdoer but told Moses: "So now let me be, that my anger may blaze against them and I may exterminate them." (Ex 32:10) Moses brought the matter to a showdown by crying: "Who is on Jehovah's side? To me!" (Ex 32:26) All the sons of Levi responded, and this undoubtedly included Aaron. Three thousand idolaters, probably the prime movers of the rebellion, were slain by them. (Ex 32:28) Nevertheless, Moses later reminded the rest of the people that they, too, bore guilt. (Ex 32:30) Aaron, therefore, was not alone in receiving God's mercy. His subsequent actions indicated that he was not in heart harmony with the idolatrous movement but simply gave in to the pressure of the rebels. (Ex 32:35) Jehovah showed that Aaron had received his forgiveness by maintaining as valid Aaron's appointment to become high priest.-Ex 40:12, 13.
Why was golden calf used as an idol?
As Moses took a long time on mount Sinai , the Jews built the golden calf and worshiped the idol.
Who was samiri who cast the golden calf?
he was one of the isrealities , a sorcerer in the time of Moses he took the sand left behind Garbriel's horse and mixed it with some gold to create the Golden Calf , While Mos…es (Musa (a.s.)) was in communion with God on the heights of mount Sinai, when Aaron tried to warn the people but they said "We will not abandon this cult, but we will devote ourselves to it until Moses returns to us."
Where did Aaron get the gold to make the Golden Calf?
Aaron got the gold from the people. He told them to take off the rings of gold which are in the ears of your qives, your sons, and your daughters.
Answered
Why is the golden calf called an idol?
A:The term idol is simply used as a pejorative to describe any representation of a god other than the Abrahamic God. Assuming that the golden calf was not intended for the wor…ship of Yahweh, the God of the Israelites, then it would be called an idol.
Answered
In The Bible
Who dreamed of the golden calf?
No one, for it wasn't in a dream; it was constructed by Aaron. See Genesis 32:1-8.
Answered
In The Bible
Did Mose confess to the making of the golden calf to god?
Moses was on Mt. Sinai getting the Ten Commandments from God, when the Golden Calf was made at the base of the mountain by the recently freed people who got scared when they w…ere left alone. It was Aaron, his brother the High Priest, that confessed to making the calf, and he said he did it because the people forced him to make it.
Answered
In Judaism
What central beliefs of judaism did the hebrews go against by worshiping the golden calf?
i dont know im asking you ??
Answered
Why did the Israelites make the golden calf - and which commandment does this worship break?
It violates the commandment against making statues and images (inExodus ch.20). .
So why did they do it?.
The Golden Calf (Exodus ch.32) was a case of taking the initiative…. It was a one-time error which was quickly and decisively stampedout. And while it was a serious offense, it may be a bit less of apuzzle if we consider the following: 1) It seemed that Moses had died (Rashi commentary, Exodus 32:1);and they wanted something or someone to lead them (Exodus 32:1).They felt that this (seemingly) drastic circumstance justifiedquickly taking unusual measures. 2) They had a tradition that they would eventually build an edificeto God (Rashi, Exodus 26:15); and, not yet having been commanded asto the details (the Tabernacle), they thought that they might nowimprovise. 3) The actual intent was not to worship the Golden Calf itself, butto worship the Presence of God (Exodus 32:5) which (they hoped)would dwell upon it. 4) The entire event was instigated by Egyptians (Rashi, Exodus32:4) who had recently joined among the mixed multitude (Exodus12:38). 5) Those who sinned were, at most, in the thousands (Exodus 32:28).Not hundreds of thousands. 6) That generation was judged by an exacting standard, preciselybecause they were on a high level (Rabbi Yehudah HaLevi). 7) In each era, there are different spiritual tests. The (main)test in ancient times was whether people would succumb to the lureof idolatry and its preludes. This powerful lure has since beenemasculated (Talmud, Yoma 69b), so it is hard for us now to fullycomprehend..