The Vav of Heelukha That Spared Israel From Destruction

Yalkut Shimoni on Torah 348:3

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·

Rabbi Yochanan said: Were it not for the letter vav in the word "heeluukha" ["who brought you up," plural] in the verse (Exodus 32:4), the enemies of Israel [a euphemism for Israel itself] would have been liable to utter destruction. Rabbi Shimon ben Yochai said to him: But surely anyone who joins the name of Heaven together with something else is uprooted from the world, as it is said, "except to the LORD alone" (Exodus 22:19). Rather, what does Scripture come to teach by saying "who brought you up" [in the plural]? That they craved many deities.

Themes

IdolatryDivine JusticeIsrael

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