VAYIKRA
The opening word of this weeks parasha and of the entire book that we now begin to read is 'VAYIKRA* which means that Hashem called upon Moshe to speakto him. The last letter of this word is a small sized Aleph; this small Aleph is a matter of note and discussion amongst many Torah commentators who agreed that this is a symbol of the intense modesty of Moshe Rabenu. It also represented the fact that Hashem's voice was only heard by Moshe within the confines of the Mishkan and not outside of it, since Hashem is able to contain his presence in the Universe in order to allow room for nature and humans to operate; this power is called
"TSIMSUM* -containment- But there is another explanation of this small aleph that I wish to share with you.
Hashem, so to speak is to be seen and heard in the small things in life and not only in the large great events. HAKADOSH BARUCH HU told the Prophet Eliyahu that he is not to be found in the wind, nor in the noise of a whisper and not of a shout. The still, the small voice is most representative of Hashem and his omnipotence, Medical scientists and biologists have proven that our physical appearance and the complicated mechanism of the human body lie in small molecules and in almost invisible components.
Therefore Hashem calls out to us with a small Aleph so we should see him in every aspect of life, no matter how small and insignificant it may appear on its surface. The faithful Jew feels Hashem in every breath that he takes in all of the events of life in every step of the way, in every smile and in every tear.
Unfortunately there are many who wait to see Hashem only in the great events, in wars, in natural disasters and in super natural wonders. There is no doubt that the Almighty is to be found there but his true existence is everywhere, in all places and particularly in the still, and in the small voice that is within us at all times. Even when we attempt to improve ourselves spiritually we often make the mistake of taking gigantic steps or making unbearable efforts, but rather we must remember that the safest way is to take small steps, to deal with ones self with increments of improvement and concentrating on making stronger commitments.
This book of VAYIKRA that we begin to read this week contains hundreds ofMitzvoth in many different aspects of Halacha, but again it concentrates on "small" things, to teach us that the small and modest way in life is the only way that leads to great achievements and that seeing the power of Hashem in every happening in life is what makes Jewish Eternity.
May we all hear the small Aleph in our lives loud and clear, Amen.
Shabbat Shalom
