So, how patient are you???? This week we read about the Golden Calf and reflect upon why our ancestors would have built one. Moses told the people that he was going to return from his conversation with G-d on Mt. Sinai in 40 days. When he didn’t return , the people were frightened. They decided that they should build an idol to symbolize this G-d they had never seen.
We know the story…Moses returns from Sinai and sees the people dancing around the idol. Now there is a commentary that suggests that Moses came back on the 41st day according to the people’s count, but on what he thought was the 40th day. Look at the significance of a little error in communication…
How many of us think we have made something clear to someone only to end up with an argument due to a miscommunication. We should all learn to be careful in the ways in which we communicate to others. And…for those of us who are younger and having challenges communicating with our parents, please think about how sometimes people hear things differently that we mean them, especially based upon the uniqueness of their personal experiences….Be patient and continue to touch base if there is any doubt as to what you think he or she said or what you think he or she meant by what he or she said…
Good luck in mastering the art of communication. It is not easy….
Rabbi Bruce Aft
Hillel Rabbinic Educator