There are at least three ways by which the sin of the Golden Calf is normally understood. In all of them, the act was a substitution; they differ in saying a substitution for what. There are those who say that it was an act of idol worship, a substituting of the calf for Hashem. There are those that say that it is a substitution for Moshe. They were looking for a model of leadership. The first group points to the fact that the words they said at the bottom of the mountain seem to refer to a deity. But there are many places that “elohim” refers to great people and not to a deity.
There is also a version of the second opinion which holds that the substitution was not for Moshe but for the tablets of the law. They did not care about the delay of the mailman but they were worried about the mail itself. The tablets carried real direction or guidance, and it was the loss of that which put them into panic mode.
In understanding any of these approaches, there is one aspect of the episode on which the Sages put special emphasis. That is, what are we to make of the use of an Egel, a calf? Some of the Sages point to this word, which is repeated throughout the episode -- that it was an Egel. These commentators focus on the word, which also means “circle.” [Why a calf is called a word which denotes “circle” is something worth explaining but it’s beyond the scope of the Derasha.] By dancing around an object called a “circle,” the people are saying something about the nature of their reaction. What is meant by a circle in this episode.
In the literature of the Sages, there are positive stories about circles. Choni HaMa’egel in the Gemora in Ta’anit is a Sage who famously created a circle around himself and refused to move from it. In a time of extreme drought and famine, he sought to force Hashem’s hand to bring rain. As he Davened, he refused to move from the circle until the rain came. That was a circle for his righteousness amidst a generation that did not deserve rain. [Afterward at Kiddush last week, Shabsi Walfish, the Chatan who will be married, please G-d, this Monday, pointed out another positive circle. When the Ashkenazi brides encircle the groom seven times under the Chuppa, she is erecting a protective circle around him.]
But when the Sages focus on the circle quality of the Golden Calf they do not see it as positive. It is an attempt not to connect to Hashem but to isolate themselves from Hashem. The people sought to cut themselves off, to seal themselves in. They do not want a reference outside of themselves. This is a problem in terms of idol worship and in terms of leadership. The frame of reference does not allow for something beyond oneself, beyond the circle.
That is the tragic error of the Golden Calf, a mistake that stays with us today. Whenever the Jews declare that they will go it alone, that they can survive or thrive without reference to Hashem, they are within that circle again, making the same mistake. Success of all kinds, can lead one to this mistake. So can resentment and bitterness. But there is no option of staying just within the circle.
This is a trap of leadership. Overcoming it is a great achievement. A few months ago, this Shabbos was designated as the goodbye for Stan and Bette Sussman. Stan’s daughters Sharon and Adeena were going to be here. It was going to be understated, the way all of them wanted it, with a Kiddush and no special events. But Covid had its way with that, as it has its way with many things of joy over the last two years. In 10 days, it will be exactly two years since Stan went in for shoulder surgery. With the exception of a few months when he was around last Fall, he’s been out since then.
The two of them are leaving for Israel in a couple of months, so there will still be another chance to do something, perhaps a Kiddush at least.
Of course, in all of the last two years, we have still been enveloped in the legacy. There is hardly a part of this community and this building that has not been improved by either the touch or the style of Stan Sussman. There are many people listed outside as the founders of this community, but if they were all here they would all point to Stan. Not just because he was the president for the first nine years of the Shul’s existence. Not nine months and not two years, but nine full years. During that time it went from a nomadic existence in bank lobbies to an honorable home where it was for over a decade.
But it’s not just for that leadership. It was the manner of leading. Beginning with the building itself, Stan was, in a word, responsible. The purchase of this building came under his watch during a return run as president, and he was instrumental in clearing all of the major hurdles before we took possession and could enter. His touch is everywhere on the premises. On the backyard, where Kiddush will be served today. For the design of the Beit Midrash, where classes take place. For the design of the Aron Hakodesh, which was executed together with Bette, where we just returned the Torah. His touch is everywhere.
He was also responsible for the gathering of resources that bought the people’s house, the rabbi’s home, an asset that gives value, and, being in Palo Alto, adds value too.
His abiding touch is also evident in the fact that we don’t panic to think of him going. He never made it about himself because he always kept it about something else. The circle was never made around himself and never made around merely the community. This is the singular achievement here in Silicon Valley -- to make it about Hashem and the Torah in a place that hardly admits of either.
The circle is always a temptation. Transcending it, opening it up to the real source of life, is an achievement.
