Vayikra 5786

The opening of Vayikra raises a subtle question: why say, “And He called to Moses” if the verse already tells us that God spoke to him? The Torah’s wording is deliberate. “Calling” (vayikra) implies a purposeful, personal summons, while a similar word (vayikar), used regarding Bilaam, suggests a chance encounter. This distinction reflects a deeper idea highlighted by Rashi: the difference between mikrah (a meaningful call) and mikreh (mere coincidence). Even the small aleph in vayikra hints at this—its near-silent presence suggests that God’s call is not always obvious or loud, but often quiet and easily overlooked.

This idea reappears powerfully at the end of the book in the tochachah, where the word keri (related to mikreh, “chance”) describes a mindset of seeing events as random rather than meaningful. Rambam explains that when people interpret suffering as coincidence instead of a prompt for reflection and growth, they distance themselves from Divine Providence. The consequence is not direct punishment, but the withdrawal of God’s protection—leaving them vulnerable to the randomness they believe in. In this sense, how we interpret events shapes our reality: seeing purpose invites guidance, while seeing chance leads to isolation.

The small aleph in Vayikra ultimately teaches a profound spiritual truth: God’s call is often subtle, and hearing it requires attentiveness. In a world without overt prophecy, that call may come through moments that stir us—a need to help, a wro