Shabbat Ki Tisa

"He remained there with Hashem for forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread, and he did not drink water." (34:28) It is interesting to note that the preparation for the second set of Tablets was the same as for the first set. Once again, Moshe was required to abstain from physical satisfaction in order to study the Torah for forty days and forty nights. Why? Ramban explains that the second set of Tablets required a second preparation period, because what Moshe had learned previously did not apply to these Tablets. We wonder, if Moshe had known the Torah well enough to present it to Am Yisrael the first time, why would he need another forty days of study to qualify for the second set of Tablets?

Harav Mordechai Gifter, Z"L explains that the Torah's true essence is above human understanding. Thus, when Hashem gave us the Torah, it was given on a level at par with our degree of comprehension. When Am Yisrael was originally about to receive the Torah, they were on a high level of Holiness. Accordingly, they would have received the Torah on this level. This all changed when they transgressed with the Golden-Calf, and their spiritual status-quo plummeted. They now would have to receive the Torah on a much lower level of understanding. Likewise, Moshe was now charged with teaching the Torah to them on a reduced level, because they could not relate to anything higher. To guarantee that Moshe would teach them the Torah on their new, diminished level, it was necessary that he relearn the Torah on a level of understanding conforming with Am Yisrael's newly adjusted level of comprehension. This was not due to any shortcoming on Moshe's part; it was to ensure that Am Yisrael received the Torah on their level of understanding. We learn from this insight that a teacher/Rabbi must prepare and teach according to the students' level of understanding and expertise. A teacher should not teach just to hear himself speak. His goal is to teach his students, and his preparation should be oriented toward this goal.
Shabbat Shalom