We know about Mount Sinai, the thunder, the lightning, the booming voice... but what about the days that followed? Let’s dive into Chapter 82 of the Book of Jasher and see what unfolded.
The story picks up right after the Israelites leave Rephidim. They arrive in the Sinai wilderness in the third month after their exodus from Egypt. It's a significant arrival, marking a pivotal point in their journey, a time ripe for revelation and covenant.
At this very moment, Reuel, Moses' father-in-law—also known as Jethro in other traditions—arrives with Moses’ wife, Zipporah, and their two sons. He’d heard about the miracles God performed in delivering the Israelites from Egypt. Imagine that reunion! According to Jasher, Reuel and his family stayed with the Israelites for quite some time, and from that day forward, Reuel became a believer in God.
Then comes the big moment: the giving of the Ten Commandments on the sixth day of that third month. The text emphasizes that "all Israel heard all these commandments" and rejoiced greatly. The glory of God rested upon Mount Sinai, and Moses ascended the mountain to receive further instructions.
For forty days and forty nights, Moses remained on the mount, fasting and receiving divine teachings. God instructed him in statutes and judgments meant to guide the Israelites. And, of course, God inscribed the Ten Commandments on two tablets of stone, which he intended to give to Moses.
But… while Moses is up on the mountain, something terrible is brewing down below.
The Israelites, seeing that Moses was taking a long time to come down, became restless and fearful. They gathered around Aaron and demanded a new god, saying, "As for this man Moses, we know not what has become of him." Talk about impatience!
Aaron, fearing the people, succumbed to their demands. He instructed them to bring him gold, which he then fashioned into a molten calf. This is, of course, the infamous Golden Calf incident.
Before Moses even descended the mountain, God knew what was happening. He told Moses, "Get thee down, for thy people… have corrupted themselves. They have made themselves a molten calf, and have bowed down to it." God, understandably, was furious and threatened to destroy them.
But Moses, ever the intercessor, pleaded with God on behalf of the people. He reminded God of His promises and His reputation. It's a powerful scene of Moses acting as a mediator between God and his people.
Moses finally descends the mountain, holding the two tablets of stone. When he sees the Golden Calf and the people’s idolatry, his anger blazes, and he shatters the tablets at the foot of the mountain. He then destroys the calf, grinding it into dust, mixing it with water, and making the Israelites drink it. A harsh but symbolic act of purification.
The text tells us that about three thousand people died by the swords of each other for their involvement in creating the calf. A devastating consequence of their actions.
The next day, Moses tells the people he will go back up to God, hoping to atone for their sins. He spends another forty days and forty nights with God, entreating Him on behalf of the Israelites. And God, hearing Moses' prayer, relents.
God instructs Moses to hew two new stone tablets, upon which He will rewrite the Ten Commandments. Moses does as he's told, ascends Mount Sinai again, and God inscribes the commandments anew.
Moses remains on the mountain for yet another forty days and forty nights! This time, God instructs him further in statutes and judgments and commands him to have the Israelites build a Mishkan (מִשְׁכָּן), a sanctuary, so that God's name might dwell among them. God even shows him a detailed vision of the sanctuary and all its vessels.
Finally, after this third set of forty days, Moses descends the mountain with the new tablets. He shares all the words of God with the Israelites, teaching them the laws, statutes, and judgments he had learned. He tells them about the sanctuary they are to build.
The people, filled with renewed zeal, rejoice at God's words and pledge to obey. They rise up as one and generously offer materials for the construction of the sanctuary – gold, silver, brass, and everything needed for its service. Skilled artisans come forward and begin to build the sanctuary according to the divine design.
The construction of the sanctuary is completed in just five months. The Israelites present it and all its furnishings to Moses, who confirms that it is built exactly as God had commanded. Moses then blesses the people.
What strikes me most about this chapter is the sheer rollercoaster of emotions. From the joy of receiving the commandments to the despair of the Golden Calf, to the renewed hope and dedication in building the sanctuary. It’s a very human story, full of mistakes, repentance, and ultimately, a renewed commitment to the divine. It reminds us that even after great spiritual highs, there will be challenges, but also opportunities for growth and repair.