The text from Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, chapter 45, sheds some light.
The Rabbi points out that "All the princes were not associated in the affair of the calf." Where do we see this? Well, it’s hinted at in Exodus 24:11: "And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand." The word "Azilê" is interpreted to mean "princes" – and it's because of their righteousness that they were "accounted worthy to gaze upon the glory of the Shekhinah," the Divine Presence. As it says, "And they saw the God of Israel" (Exodus 24:10). Imagine that – standing firm in your faith allows you to directly perceive the Divine! It’s a powerful idea, isn’t it? That steadfastness opens you to revelation.
But the princes weren't the only ones. Rabbi Jehudah brings another group into the light: the tribe of Levi.
Remember when Moses descends from Mount Sinai, sees the idolatry, and cries out, "Whoso is on the Lord's side (let him come) unto me"? (Exodus 32:26). "And all the sons of Levi gathered themselves together unto him." When Moses saw the tribe of Levi standing with him, he was emboldened. It was then that he burned the calf, ground it into dust, and cast it upon the water.
And here's where the story takes a darker turn. Moses then makes the Israelites drink this water. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer tells us that "Everyone who had kissed the calf with all his heart, his upper lip and his bones became golden." Talk about a visible sign of your transgression! And the Levites, remaining true to God, slew those who had participated in the idolatry. The text concludes, "And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Moses," resulting in the death of about three thousand men (Exodus 32:28).
It's a stark reminder of the consequences of straying from faith. But it's also a testament to the importance of those who remain steadfast, who stand up for what they believe in, even when it's difficult. The princes, the Levites... they serve as models for us.
What does this story mean for us today? Are there "golden calves" in our lives – idols of money, power, or social status – that we might be tempted to kiss? And who are the modern-day Levites, those who stand firm in their convictions, even when it's unpopular? Perhaps, in our own way, we are all called to be Levites, to stand up for what is right, even when it's hard. It's a challenging thought, isn't it? But one worth considering.