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Why did Hashem (ה׳) criticize Moshe for accepting the Erev Rav when his motives were pure? The shiur explains that conversion requires joining the Jewish people, not just adopting practices—converts must witness how Jews transform through mitzvos and respond to suffering. The Erev Rav outnumbered Jews seven to one after the plague of darkness, preventing them from fully integrating the Jewish experience of handling divine criticism.
Rabbi Zweig examines Hashem (ה׳)'s criticism of Moshe Rabbeinu in Parshas Ki Sisa regarding the acceptance of the Erev Rav, the mixed multitude that left Egypt with the Jews. After the sin of the golden calf, Hashem tells Moshe "your nation that you brought out" corrupted themselves—referring specifically to the converts Moshe accepted without consulting Hashem. The Mechilta records that there were between 1.8 and 3.6 million converts, representing three to six times the number of Jews who left Egypt. The fundamental question is: what was Moshe's error? Hashem acknowledges Moshe's noble motives—that he wanted converts to cleave to the Divine presence. Moshe certainly evaluated their sincerity properly. So what did he do wrong?
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Shemos 32:7 (Ki Sisa)
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