Parashas Vayikra

"Vayikra" the first word of this week's parashah, is written with a diminutive aleph.

Rashi tells us that "vayikra," "and he called," is a term that reflects affection. Each time Hashem addressed Moshe, he first “called” to him with love.

On the other hand, the word "vayikar," "and he chanced upon" - the word used when Hashem speaks to the non-Jewish prophets - reflects an impersonal, cold, functional interchange.

Moshe did not want to flaunt the special relationship he enjoyed with Hashem, and would have preferred to hide it by writing "vayikar." However, Hashem had commanded that word in the Torah be "vaykira." Hence, the "compromise" of the small aleph.

In a similar vein, in last week's parashah, we are told that Moshe carried out his charge of assembling the Mishkan. At each step we are told that he did so "as Hashem commanded Moshe" – not, as would be expected, “as Hashem commanded him.”

Moshe discharged his duties to the nth degree, but he did so with no ego; it was not "as Hashem commanded 'him'," – because Hashem had spoken with him – but "as Hashem commanded Moshe," – because Hashem had spoken, and Moshe took no pride in his status.

In each person's life, there are times he (or her) is called upon to play a role: to lead, to teach, to accomplish.

These parshiyos remind us that though Hashem may have called us and commanded us with love and in His grace to do what needs to be done, it should never be about us.

To the extent that we lessen our focus on ourselves, we will surely be granted greater success in fulfilling Hashem's Will. And that’s what it’s all about.

Gut Shabbos.