Parshat Ki Tissa tells the story of a paradigm shift in the relationship between God and the Jewish people. It also offers a lesson for human relationships: adapting and pivoting from plan A to plan B can become, rather than a limitation or disappointment, an opportunity for empowerment and deeper connection.

When God tells Moshe to descend and see that the nation has sinned by creating the Golden Calf, Moshe shatters the luchot at the foot of the mountain. The Torah emphasizes the divine nature of this first set of tablets, symbolizing God’s direct revelation and covenant with Israel. Yet God affirms Moshe’s action. After deciding to forgive the people, God commands Moshe to prepare a second set of luchot with the same words as the first that he shattered – “asher shibarta.” The Talmud reads this phrase with a play on words: yashar kochacha she-shibarta – well done for breaking them.

There are notable differences between the two sets of tablets. First, God tells Moshe to carve the second luchot “for yourself” – rather than God forming them entirely. The second set reflects a deeper partnership between God and human beings. Second, Haamek Davar explains that while the first tablets contained the hidden meaning of Torah, the second introduced the possibility of ongoing interpretation and innovation. The second luchot symbolize empowerment and creative engagement with Torah.

The re-giving of the luchot reflects the capacity to rebuild and renew our relationship with God. The Talmud teaches that the broken tablets were placed in the Ark alongside the new ones. Perhaps this was not only due to their sanctity, but to remind us that in human relationships too, plan B can hold its own blessings – and sometimes lead to even greater joy and deeper connection. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson
Dedicated to my daughter in honor of her upcoming plan B wedding🇮🇱🎉