Why Three Punishments for the Golden Calf Sin

Midrash Aggadah Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 27

Curated by The Jewish Mythology Team · Published January 18, 2025

A Matrona asked R. Eleazar: "Why for the one sin of worshipping the golden calf were they punished with three kinds of death ?” He refused to answer a woman, but explained to his pupils that there was a three-fold sin and everyone was punished according to his own form of sin, for instance, the one who sacrificed got one punishment and he who merely danced received a lighter punishment.

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Themes

Death Repentance Temple

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