1999
Three Midrashim on the Golden Calf
Talmud Yerushalmi, Shekalim
Rav Abba Bar Acha said: Who can make sense of this people? When asked to give gold for the calf they gave. When asked to give gold for the Tabernacle they gave.
Midrash Pirke d'Rebbe Eliezer
Aharon said to himself: If I ask for silver and gold, they'll bring it immediately. I know what I'll tell them, "Bring me the earrings of your wives and children, and their idea will be voided. As it is written: 'And Aharon said: Break off the earrings...'"
The women heard and didn't want to participate and they wouldn't agree to give their earrings to their husbands. Instead they said, "To make this foul abomination that has no power to save makes sense to you!" And the Holy One gave them reward in this world, for they observe Rosh Chodesh more than the men observe. He also gave them reward in the next world, that they will become renewed like the new moons, as it is written: He satisfies you with the good things in the prime of life so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's." (Psalms 103:5)
Midrash Lekach Tov
"Break off the earrings that are in the ears of your wives..." He [Aaron] said, maybe the women will be reluctant to give up their earrings and those of their children, and this enterprise will be delayed until Moshe returns. This, however, did not help at all, as it is written, "And they broke off."
Your Midrash Navigator
1. What is the point of the first midrash? What does it say about philanthropy?
2. Who is the hero of the second midrash?
3. Is Aharon's purpose the same in the second and the third midrash?
4. Who is the hero of the third midrash?