Vayikra: The Alef You Can’t Hear (But You Need To)

A hidden Alef. A silent scream. And a question only you can answer.

Sefer Shemos ended on a high with a bit of a cliffhanger. The Shechinah filled the Mishkan, taking up all the space, without even leaving room for Moshe, the leader of the Jewish people. This was particularly puzzling, considering Moshe’s profound connection with Hashem. He had spent extensive time on Har Sinai, receiving the Torah directly from Hashem, and had even been shown the model of the Mishkan. Moshe was supposed to be the one to communicate with Hashem in the Ohel Moed. Logic would tell us that if anyone should be allowed to enter, it would certainly be Moshe. Yet, when the long-awaited moment arrived, with the cloud descending, Moshe found himself unable to enter.

Moshe came as close as he was permitted to, and then he waited for a call. That call finally came at the very end of Sefer Shemos, as we finished Chazak, and then, in our parashah, it rang out: ויקרא אל־משה, Hashem called to Moshe. Vayikra is a term of affection, used among the Malachim on high. That special term wa…