As we welcome the Shabbat this Friday evening, we turn our attention to this week’s Torah portion — Ki Tisa (Exodus 30:11-34:35).  In this chapter, when Moses descends the mountain he finds that the people have built an idol, a Golden Calf, and Moses he just . . . well, he gets pretty angry and throws down the tablets containing the 10 Commandments and shatters them.

There’s more to the story, but that’s a major highlight.  What are we to make of it?

As a parent, I’d say that one meaning is that sometimes a tantrum isn’t just a tantrum. Often, at the core of many tantrums is often a nugget of meritorious argument.

I’m not saying we have to throw stuff down and smash it to bits to get people to pay attention to what’s important.  On the other hand, sometimes you have to communicate in such a way that you get people’s full and undivided.  Just remember, there’s a balance.

What do you think?