Vayikra -
DVAR TORAH
The Ba'al Haturim quotes a Medrash which explains why the Alef at the end of the word "Vayikra" is small. The Medrash states that Moshe really wanted the word to read "Vayikar", to make it sound as if H-Shem had only chanced upon Moshe ,as opposed to 'vayikra,' which connotes a more personal call of love. Thus, a compromise was made, the alef would be a small one. The striking question we are left with is that the Torah has previously said that H-Shem spoke with Moshe "...face to face as someone speaking to his friend" (Shemos 33;11) . Does this not also shows the closeness between H-Shem and Moshe? Why did Moshe specifically want to rub out this alef of "Vayikra" but leave the Pasuk of Shemos 33:11 (and others) as they were?
An answer is given that there is a major difference between this "Vayikra" and earlier ones. Previously when H-Shem spoke to Moshe, it was as the leader of the Bnei Yisrael, as the one through whom he would convey messages to His nation. Now however, in Vayikra, we have just built the Mishkan and H-Shem's Presence rests within ALL of Klal Yisrael. Thus, when He still calls out solely to Moshe, as an individual, this really shows H-Shem's special love for Moshe, and so it is THIS 'Vayikra' that Moshe wanted to cover up.
STORY
The boys in Rav Mendel Kaplan's class all began crinkling their noses and looking at each other with looks of exasperation as "Ploni", the well known beggar of Philadelphia entered the room. His stench filled the area and anyone who contributed made sure to stand back and give with a truly outstretched arm, so as not to be contaminated by any bugs or critters that might jump off of him. As he made his way to the front of the room, Rav Mendel approached him and embraced him in a huge bear hug. The boys were stunned.After Ploni had left the room, they asked their rebbe in disbelief how he was able to stand the stench and even hug him! Rav Mendel answered, "Just remember, there are times when Klal Yisrael as a whole doesn't smell too great either, and yet H-shem is always there to give us that big hug."
DVAR TORAH
The Ba'al Haturim quotes a Medrash which explains why the Alef at the end of the word "Vayikra" is small. The Medrash states that Moshe really wanted the word to read "Vayikar", to make it sound as if H-Shem had only chanced upon Moshe ,as opposed to 'vayikra,' which connotes a more personal call of love. Thus, a compromise was made, the alef would be a small one. The striking question we are left with is that the Torah has previously said that H-Shem spoke with Moshe "...face to face as someone speaking to his friend" (Shemos 33;11) . Does this not also shows the closeness between H-Shem and Moshe? Why did Moshe specifically want to rub out this alef of "Vayikra" but leave the Pasuk of Shemos 33:11 (and others) as they were?
An answer is given that there is a major difference between this "Vayikra" and earlier ones. Previously when H-Shem spoke to Moshe, it was as the leader of the Bnei Yisrael, as the one through whom he would convey messages to His nation. Now however, in Vayikra, we have just built the Mishkan and H-Shem's Presence rests within ALL of Klal Yisrael. Thus, when He still calls out solely to Moshe, as an individual, this really shows H-Shem's special love for Moshe, and so it is THIS 'Vayikra' that Moshe wanted to cover up.
STORY
The boys in Rav Mendel Kaplan's class all began crinkling their noses and looking at each other with looks of exasperation as "Ploni", the well known beggar of Philadelphia entered the room. His stench filled the area and anyone who contributed made sure to stand back and give with a truly outstretched arm, so as not to be contaminated by any bugs or critters that might jump off of him. As he made his way to the front of the room, Rav Mendel approached him and embraced him in a huge bear hug. The boys were stunned.After Ploni had left the room, they asked their rebbe in disbelief how he was able to stand the stench and even hug him! Rav Mendel answered, "Just remember, there are times when Klal Yisrael as a whole doesn't smell too great either, and yet H-shem is always there to give us that big hug."