This week, we read of what could have been one of the most amazing moments in the history of the children of Israel—yet it became one of the greatest tragedies. Moses was on Mount Sinai, receiving the stone tablets inscribed by the very finger of God. This should have been a moment of unparalleled spiritual elevation, a divine encounter unlike any other. Yet, in the camp below, impatience, fear, and doubt led to a devastating fall.

The people, believing Moses had been delayed in returning, gathered against Aaron and demanded, “Make us a god who will go before us, for we do not know what has become of this Moses.” Instead of standing firm, Aaron gave in to their demands. He collected their gold and fashioned a molten calf, declaring:

This is your god, Israel, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!
Exodus 32:4

Moses eventually descended from the mountain, carrying the tablets that represented God’s covenant with His people. But upon seeing their idolatry, he shattered the tablets in anger. The consequences were severe—thousands perished, and Israel’s relationship with God was nearly destroyed. God even declared His intent to wipe out Israel and start anew through Moses. However, Moses, demonstrating true leadership and love for his people, interceded on their behalf. Because of his plea, God relented, showing grace by renewing the covenant and giving Israel a second chance:

Behold, I am going to make a covenant. Before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations; and all the people among whom you live will see the working of the LORD, for it is a fearful thing that I am going to perform with you.
Exodus 34:10

This passage emphasizes God’s desire for Israel to know and worship Him alone. His miracles serve as a witness to His power and faithfulness. Yet, time and again, the people struggled with the temptation of idolatry.

This same struggle is seen again in our Haftarah portion from 1 Kings 18:1-39, when the prophet Elijah confronted the people of Israel during the reign of King Ahab. The nation had fallen into idol worship under Ahab and his wife Jezebel, who had led them to serve Baal. In response, Elijah called the people to make a decision:

How long will you waver between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal is God, follow him.
1 Kings 18:21

To demonstrate the power of the one true God, Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal to a dramatic showdown on Mount Carmel. The prophets of Baal called upon their god, but nothing happened. Then Elijah prayed, and fire fell from heaven, consuming the offering, the wood, and even the water in the trench. At that moment, the people fell on their faces and declared:

The LORD, He is God; the LORD, He is God!
1 Kings 18:39

The golden calf in the wilderness and the worship of Baal in Elijah’s time were not just failures of faith—they were moments when Israel was faced with a choice: would they stand for the truth, or would they conform to the pressures around them?

This theme of choice and standing for what is right is also at the heart of Purim. In the days of Esther, the Jewish people faced annihilation at the hands of Haman, an enemy who sought to erase them from existence. Esther, like Elijah, was faced with a choice—would she remain silent and protect herself, or would she stand for God’s people?

Her uncle Mordecai challenged her with these words:

For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?
Esther 4:14

Just as Elijah stood against the false prophets, just as Moses stood in intercession for Israel, Esther chose to stand in the gap for her people. She risked everything, and because of her courage, the Jewish people were saved.

The same challenge remains in our time. The world pressures us to compromise, to remain silent, to bow to the idols of our day. But God is calling people to stand for truth, to stand for His people, and to declare as Elijah did: “The LORD, He is God!”

Purim is not just a story of survival; it is a call to action. Just as in the days of Moses, Elijah, and Esther, people today must decide—will we stand for righteousness, or will we waver? Will we speak out for God’s people, or will we remain silent?

Now, as then, the choice is before us. The time to stand is now.

Shabbat Shalom,
Moran