11
Mar
This D’var Torah should be a Zechus L’Ilui Nishmas my sister, Kayla Rus Bas Bunim Tuvia A”H, my maternal grandfather Dovid Tzvi Ben Yosef Yochanan A”H, my maternal grandfather Dovid Tzvi Ben Yosef Yochanan A”H, my paternal grandfather Moshe Ben Yosef A”H, my paternal grandmother Channah Freidel Bas Avraham A”H, my uncle Reuven Nachum Ben Moshe & my great aunt Rivkah Sorah Bas Zev Yehuda HaKohein.
It should also be in Zechus L’Refuah Shileimah for:
-My father Bunim Tuvia Ben Channa Freidel
-My grandmother Shulamis Bas Etta
-MY BROTHER: MENACHEM MENDEL SHLOMO BEN CHAYA ROCHEL
-Mordechai Shlomo Ben Sarah Tili
-Noam Shmuel Ben Simcha
-Chaya Rochel Ettel Bas Shulamis
-And all of the Cholei Yisrael, especially those suffering from COVID-19 and the Meiron tragedy.
-It should also be a Z’chus for an Aliyah of the holy Neshamos of Dovid Avraham Ben Chiya Kehas—R’ Dovid Winiarz ZT”L, Miriam Liba Bas Aharon—Rebbetzin Weiss A”H, as well as the Neshamos of those whose lives were taken by terrorists (Hashem Yikom Damam), COVID-19, and the Meiron tragedy.
-It should also be a Z’chus for success for Tzaha”l as well as the rest of Am Yisrael, in Eretz Yisrael and in the Galus.
בס”ד
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Parsha Paradise/פרשה פרדס – Vayikra: WHO Called Moshe & Why is there a Small א? ✍️?
Audio:
The Torah begins Sefer number three, “Vayikra El Moshe”-“And He called to Moshe” [Vayikra 1:1]. The question is: WHO called to Moshe? Have you ever noticed that the Torah doesn’t immediately specify? You might say it’s obvious that Hashem called Moshe, but why would the Torah begin a book without being specific about the Subject? Why doesn’t the Torah say Hashem’s Name in the opening clause?
Also, have you noticed the letter Aleph in the word Vayikra. It’s different from the other letters. It’s only a small difference. Indeed, the letter Aleph is small. But, why?
P’shat:
Many M’forshim [Ramban, Bechor Shor, Rashbam, Ibn Ezra] explain that Vayikra is really a continuation of Pekudei. Moshe waited outside the Mishkan because he was not summoned to enter before Hashem Whose Glory overwhelmed it. He did not see himself worthy of entry. This point will be important soon.
As for the small Aleph, whenever a letter is smaller than the others, exegetically, we are supposed to read thr word as if that letter is not there. In this case, “Vayikra”-“And He called” becomes “Vayikar”-“And He chanced/happened on.”
We will see two explanations in this vein. Firstly, R’ Shimshon Raphael Hirsch explains that while Hashem always preceded His communication to Moshe with a calling, unlike other prophets, Moshe always had to be ready for Hashem to “happen upon” him.
Remez:
Ba’al HaTurim, based on the Midrash, understands “Vayikar” in a more derogatory way, as Hashem did not summon/invite Bil’am, but reluctantly happened upon him. In his humility, Moshe’s requested a similar introduction for himself, though he deserved better. The small Aleph hints at the concession Hashem made with Moshe. It will say “Vayikra,” but with a small Aleph. Hashem always invited with Moshe with a calling.
Drash:
In this vein, the Gemara in Yoma [4B] explains that the Torah is teaching a lesson in Derech Eretz, that it is appropriate to call someone before speaking to them. Perhaps this is common sense as one needs another’s attention before speaking to him. But, perhaps this Derech Eretz speaks to the respectful aspect. Moshe didn’t demand such respect, but he was due it.
Sod:
Noam Elimelech citing Zohar, explains that Hashem’s Name was omitted from the first clause to demonstrate that in the Mishkan in the desert, Hashem was not “home” in the fullest sense. His “home” is in the Mikdash in Eretz Yisrael. That’s also why the Aleph was small. There was something lacking when Hashem called out from His temporary, mobile home in the Mishkan.
However, explains the Noam Elimelech, Moshe had sanctified himself and reached the status of a Beis HaMikdash/Olamim, a permanent abode for Hashem’s Presence. Thus, once the Torah reached his name, “Vayikra El Moshe,” THEN, Hashem’s Name and Presence appeared fully, as the Torah follows up, “Vayidabeir Eilav HASHEM”-“And HASHEM spoke to him.”
We should be Zocheh to make ourselves into humble and holy abodes of Hashem’s Presence and host His Presence once again in the Beis Olamim with the coming of Moshiach, Bimheirah BiYomeinu! Have a wonderful Shabbos Zachor!
-Yehoshua Shmuel Eisenberg