Empowerment: Is the Ability To Choose

Commentators have always been puzzled by Moshe's actions: How could he possibly shatter the luchos, which he received directly from Hashem? Especially considering that the loss was irreversible. These tablets were not given again, and the second tablets were merely the work of human hands, hewn from a stone from beneath Moshe's tent? But precisely herein is the lesson: Moshe needed to get the people to ‘face the music’ and chose unilaterally which path they will embrace. If after so many miracles unlike any before or since, they were capable of betraying G-d in such a disgraceful manner – it seems they hadn't started to mature. We uncover this important life lesson, by revisiting the play-byplay of the debacle of the Golden Calf, its remedy and the hope for redemption it holds for us all.