Parashas Vayikra

Parashas Vayikra

״ויקרא אל משה״ – “And He called to Moshe.

“The final letters of these three words form the word אלה – elah. The Maharal Tzintz says, according to the Megaleh Amukos, that this hints at the sin of the Golden Calf, when Klal Yisrael said,

“Eleh elohecha Yisrael (these are your gods, Yisrael.)” Because of that sin, a thousand lights were withdrawn from Moshe, leaving him only a thousand forms of reduced radiance.

The word ״ויקרא״ – “Vayikra” is written with a small  אAleph. This reduced אלף (Aleph) hints that one thousand (אלף) lights were diminished due to the sin of the Elah/אלה.

Why did this affect Moshe, who was not involved in the sin?

Because Moshe is the leader and teacher of Klal Yisrael. He had to teach and guide them according to their spiritual level. When Klal Yisrael descended from their spiritual heights, it became necessary for their leader to descend with them. Therefore, the pasuk concludes, “And Hashem spoke to him from the Ohel Moed, saying.” Moshe’s role was “saying” to transmit Hashem’s words to Klal Yisrael. His entire personality, his entire essence, was that of the leader of Klal Yisrael. Therefore, when they descended from their level, as their leader and teacher, he descended with them.