Parshas Ki Sissa

The first set of lukkot is destroyed as Moshe descends from the mountain to find the people celebrating with the egel zahav. The second set of lukkot is preserved in the aron for many generations. There is an interesting difference between the short-lived first and the long-lived second set. The first were presented to Moshe pre-carved and then inscribed by the finger of G-d. The second set were carved by Moshe and then inscribed by the finger of G-d. It is the partnership between G-d and Moshe as a representative of Israel that permits bringing more than transient holiness into the world. So too in our day is it our partnership with G-d which brings holiness to the world.