"In Service:" Vayikra and the Fine (Humble) Line between the Holy and the Unholy

This week we begin a new Book of the Five Books of Moses, Vayikrah, Leviticus. The very first word, Vayikrah, (and [God] called [Moshe]) is written with a small Alef.

Chapter 1

1. And He called to Moses, and the Lord spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying,		א. וַיִּקְרָא אֶל משֶׁה וַיְדַבֵּר יְהֹוָה אֵלָיו מֵאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד לֵאמֹר:
And He called to Moses: ... [קְרִיאָה] is an expression of affection, the [same] expression employed by the ministering angels [when addressing each other], as it says, “And one called (וְקָרָא) to the other…” (Isa. 6:3). To the prophets of the nations of the world, however, He revealed Himself through expressions denoting coincidence and impurity, as the verse says, “and God happened to [meet] (וַיִּקָּר) Balaam” (Num. 23:4). - [Bemidbar Rabbah 52:5] [The expression וַיִּקָּר has the meaning of a coincidental happening, and also alludes to impurity. [See Deut. 23:11, regarding the expression מִקְרֵה לַיְלָה.]

Rashi does not explicitly mention the small Alef, but rather simply focuses on the difference between Vayikra and Vayikar, which is how the word would read without the Alef altogether. Much has been said about the fact that the small Alef would represent Moshe's humility, and that by making the Alef small, Moshe would be therefore giving less emphasis to the fact that G-d called out to him.

The fact that Alef is singled out and made smaller, however, suggests that Moshe is not at all trying to make himself appear more like Bilaam. On the contrary, he is emphasizing the difference between himself and Bilaam, which is exactly what Rashi picks up on. What is that difference? Humility.

19. Whoever possesses the following three traits is of the disciples of our father Abraham; and whoever possesses the opposite three traits is of the disciples of the wicked Balaam. The disciples of our father Abraham have a good eye (Ayin), a meek spirit (Ruach) and a humble soul (Nefesh). The disciples of the wicked Balaam have an evil eye, a haughty spirit and a gross soul. (Pirkei Avot, Chapter 5)

In Ecclesiastes (Kohelet), King Solomon states that the difference between a man and an animal is Ayin (nothing). It's not that there is no difference, but that the difference is the ability to be "nothing," a humble vessel.

19. For there is a happening for the children of men, and there is a happening for the beasts-and they have one happening-like the death of this one is the death of that one, and all have one spirit, and the superiority of man over beast is nought [Ayin, with an Alef], for all is vanity.

יט. כִּי מִקְרֶה בְנֵי הָאָדָם וּמִקְרֶה הַבְּהֵמָה וּמִקְרֶה אֶחָד לָהֶם כְּמוֹת זֶה כֵּן מוֹת זֶה וְרוּחַ אֶחָד לַכֹּל וּמוֹתַר הָאָדָם מִן הַבְּהֵמָה אָיִן כִּי הַכֹּל הָבֶל:

Our sages mention that in the most important prayer in Judaism, the Shemah, the difference between the words Echad (one) and Acher (other), is very slight:

Rav Zeira said: “Even parts of the Torah that seem like little slivers ("Kotzin") are actually tremendous mountains ("Tilei Tilim"). They  can destroy the entire world if they are not preserved.... [For instance,]  in the verse (Devarim 12:4), ‘Hear O Israel, Hashem is our G-d, Hashem is  *One* (Alef Chet Dalet),’ if the Dalet of Echad is changed into a Reish by  erasing the little sliver that distinguishes between the written form of  the two letters, it can cause the  destruction of the entire world (because  the verse would read, "Hashem is *another*). In the verse (Shemot 34:14):  “Do not bow down to a *another* (Alef Chet Reish) G-d ,” if the Reish of  Acher is changed into a Dalet by adding a little sliver, it can cause the  destruction of the entire world (because the verse would then read, "Do not  serve the *one* G-d"). (Vayikra Rabba, 19:2; "Parsha Page," Rav Kornfeld)

The difference between the Dalet and the Resh is simply a sliver, like the Hebrew letter Yud. The Yud represents spirituality. There is a very fine line between what is holy and unholy. Between truth and falsehood. This is related to the month of Adar:

Rabbi [Sholom] Gold pointed out that we celebrate Haman’s downfall during  the month of Adar (Alef, Dalet, Reish). At this time, we work on  strengthening our perception of Hashem Echad and not bowing down to an El  Acher. The mission of Adar is to learn to differentiate between the Dalet  and the Reish, and through this, to reveal the "Alef," (which, having a  numerical value of one, represents the Creator) whose Oneness will finally  be revealed to all when Amalek is completely destroyed. ("Parsha Page," Rav Kornfeld) 

The letter Alef itself also has a very special humble/spiritual quality, shared in part by the Yud and the Ayin. This humility is also an essential aspect of the Sefirot of Netzach and Hod. The Alef is the first letter of the first word of the first of the Ten Commandments, Anochi Hashem Elokecha, "I am the Lord your G-d." This Alef is said to contain the entire Torah. Yet what is the sound of this letter? It is silent, humble. It serves simply as a vessel for the vowel. That is the true goal of spiritual service: to be a vessel. That is also the goal of the entire book of Vayikra.

Week 44 (Book 6): Reviewing the Week of Tisha B'Av - Psalms 130-132; 105:33-35; 89:45

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 130

The psalmist prays for an end to this long exile.

1. A song of ascents. Out of the depths I call to You, O Lord. 2. My Lord, hearken to my voice; let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleas. 3. G-d, if You were to preserve iniquities, my Lord, who could survive? 4. But forgiveness is with You, that You may be held in awe. 5. I hope in the Lord; my soul hopes, and I long for His word. 6. My soul yearns for the Lord more than those awaiting the morning wait for the morning. 7. Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is kindness; with Him there is abounding deliverance. 8. And He will redeem Israel from all its iniquities.

Chapter 131

In this prayer, David declares that never in the course of his life was he haughty, nor did he pursue greatness or worldly pleasures.

1. A song of ascents, by David. O Lord, my heart was not proud, nor were my eyes haughty; I did not seek matters that were too great and too wondrous for me. 2. Surely I put my soul at peace and soothed it like a weaned child with his mother; my soul was like a weaned child. 3. Let Israel hope in the Lord from this time forth and forever.

Chapter 132

David composed this psalm while he and the elders of Israel wore sackcloth, in mourning over the plague that had descended upon the land, and their being distant from the Holy Temple. David therefore offers intense prayers, entreating G-d to remember the hardship and sacrifice he endured for the sake of the Temple.

1. A song of ascents. O Lord, remember unto David all his suffering, 2. how he swore to the Lord, and vowed to the Mighty Power of Jacob: 3. "I will not enter into the tent of my house; I will not go up into the bed that is spread for me; 4. I will not give sleep to my eyes, nor slumber to my eyelids; 5. until I will have found a place for the Lord, a resting place for the Mighty Power of Jacob.” 6. Lo, we heard of it in Ephrath; we found it in the field of the forest. 7. We will come to His resting places; we will prostrate ourselves at His footstool. 8. Ascend, O Lord, to Your resting place, You and the Ark of Your might. 9. May Your priests clothe themselves in righteousness, and may Your pious ones sing joyous songs. 10. For the sake of David Your servant, turn not away the face of Your anointed. 11. For the Lord has sworn to David a truth from which He will never retreat: "From the fruit of your womb will I set for you upon the throne. 12. If your sons will keep My covenant and this testimony of mine which I will teach them, then their sons, too, will sit on the throne for you until the end of time. 13. For the Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. 14. This is My resting place to the end of time. Here will I dwell, for I have desired it. 15. I will abundantly bless her sustenance; I will satisfy her needy with bread. 16. I will clothe her priests with salvation, and her pious ones will sing joyous songs. 17. There I will cause David's power to flourish; there I have prepared a lamp for My anointed. 18. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon him, his crown will blossom."

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 105

33. And it struck their vines and their fig trees, and it broke the trees of their boundary.
34. He spoke and locusts came, and nibbling locusts without number.
35. And they consumed all grass in their land, and they consumed the produce of their soil

PSALM 89

45. You have brought an end to his shining, and his throne You have cast down to earth.

Week 45 (Book 6): Reviewing the Week of Tu B'Av - Psalms 133-135; 105:36-38; 89:46

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter 133

1. A song of ascents, by David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is when brothers dwell together. 2. Like the precious oil [placed] upon the head, flowing [in abundance] down the beard, the beard of Aaron which rests upon his garments. 3. Like the dew of Hermon which comes down upon the mountains of Zion, for there the Lord has commanded blessing, life unto eternity.

Chapter 134

The psalmist exhorts the scholarly and pious to rise from their beds at night, and go to the House of G-d.

1. A song of ascents. Behold: Bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who stand in the House of the Lord in the nights. 2. Lift up your hands in holiness and bless the Lord. 3. May the Lord, Who makes heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Chapter 135

1. Praise the Lord! Praise the Name of the Lord; offer praise, you servants of the Lord- 2. who stand in the House of the Lord, in the courtyards of the House of our G-d. 3. Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to His Name, for He is pleasant. 4. For G-d has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel as His beloved treasure. 5. For I know that the Lord is great, our Master is greater than all supernal beings. 6. All that the Lord desired He has done, in the heavens and on earth, in the seas and the depths. 7. He causes mists to rise from the ends of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain; He brings forth the wind from His vaults. 8. It was He who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, of man and beast. 9. He sent signs and wonders into the midst of Egypt, on Pharaoh and on all his servants. 10. It was He who struck down many nations, and slew mighty kings: 11. Sichon, king of the Amorites; Og, king of Bashan; and all the kingdoms of Canaan. 12. And He gave their lands as a heritage, a heritage to His people Israel. 13. Lord, Your Name is forever; Lord, Your remembrance is throughout all generations. 14. Indeed, the Lord will judge on behalf of His people, and have compassion on His servants. 15. The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the product of human hands. 16. They have a mouth, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; 17. they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouth. 18. Like them will their makers become-all who trust in them. 19. House of Israel, bless the Lord; House of Aaron, bless the Lord; 20. House of Levi, bless the Lord; you who fear the Lord, bless the Lord. 21. Blessed is the Lord from Zion, who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the Lord!

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 105

36. And He smote every firstborn in their land, the first of all their strength.
37. And He took them out with silver and gold, and there was no pauper among their tribes.
38. Egypt rejoiced with their departure for their fear had fallen upon them.
 

PSALM 89

46. You have shortened the days of his youth; You have enwrapped him with shame forever.  

Week 46 (Book 6): Reviewing the Last Week of Av - Psalms 136-138; 105:39-41; 89:47

PSALMS (Introductions and Translations from Chabad.org):

Chapter136  (Parallel to Book 2)

This psalm contains twenty-six verses, corresponding to the twenty-six generations between the creation of the world and the giving of the Torah.

1. Praise the Lord for He is good, for His kindness is forever. 2. Praise the G-d of the supernal beings, for His kindness is forever. 3. Praise the Master of the heavenly hosts, for His kindness is forever. 4. Who alone performs great wonders, for His kindness is forever. 5. Who makes the heavens with understanding, for His kindness is forever. 6. Who spreads forth the earth above the waters, for His kindness is forever. 7. Who makes the great lights, for His kindness is forever. 8. The sun to rule by day, for His kindness is forever. 9. The moon and stars to rule by night, for His kindness is forever. 10. Who struck Egypt through its firstborn, for His kindness is forever. 11. And brought Israel out of their midst, for His kindness is forever. 12. With a strong hand and with an outstretched arm, for His kindness is forever. 13. Who split the Sea of Reeds into sections, for His kindness is forever. 14. And brought Israel across it, for His kindness is forever. 15. And cast Pharaoh and his army into the Sea of Reeds, for His kindness is forever. 16. Who led His people through the desert, for His kindness is forever; 17. Who struck down great kings, for His kindness is forever. 18. And slew mighty kings, for His kindness is forever. 19. Sichon, king of the Amorites, for His kindness is forever. 20. And Og, king of Bashan, for His kindness is forever. 21. And gave their land as a heritage, for His kindness is forever. 22. A heritage to Israel His servant, for His kindness is forever. 23. Who remembered us in our humiliation, for His kindness is forever. 24. And redeemed us from our oppressors, for His kindness is forever. 25. Who gives food to all flesh, for His kindness is forever. 26. Praise the G-d of heaven, for His kindness is forever.

Chapter 137  (Parallel to Book 3)

Referring to the time of the destruction of the Temple, this psalm tells of when Nebuchadnezzar would ask the Levites to sing in captivity as they had in the Temple, to which they would reply, "How can we sing the song of G-d upon alien soil?" They were then comforted by Divine inspiration.

1. By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat and wept as we remembered Zion. 2. There, upon the willows, we hung our harps. 3. For there our captors demanded of us songs, and those who scorned us-rejoicing, [saying,] "Sing to us of the songs of Zion.” 4. How can we sing the song of the Lord on alien soil? 5. If I forget you, Jerusalem, let my right hand forget [its dexterity]. 6. Let my tongue cleave to my palate if I will not remember you, if I will not bring to mind Jerusalem during my greatest joy! 7. Remember, O Lord, against the Edomites the day of [the destruction of] Jerusalem, when they said, "Raze it, raze it to its very foundation!” 8. O Babylon, who is destined to be laid waste, happy is he who will repay you in retribution for what you have inflicted on us. 9. Happy is he who will seize and crush your infants against the rock!

Chapter 138  (Parallel to Book 4)

David offers awesome praises to G-d for His kindness to him, and for fulfilling His promise to grant him kingship.

1. By David. I will thank You with all my heart, in the presence of princes I shall praise You. 2. I will bow toward Your Holy Sanctuary, and praise Your Name for Your kindness and for Your truth; for You have exalted Your word above all Your Names. 3. On the day that I called out You answered me, You emboldened me, [You put] strength in my soul. 4. Lord, all the kings of the land will give thanks to You when they hear the words of Your mouth. 5. And they will sing of the Lord's ways, for the glory of the Lord is great. 6. For though the Lord is exalted, He sees the lowly; the High One castigates from afar. 7. If I walk in the midst of distress, keep me alive; against the wrath of my enemies stretch out Your hand, and let Your right hand deliver me. 8. Lord, complete [Your kindness] on my behalf. Lord, Your kindness is forever, do not forsake the work of Your hands.

TIKKUN HAKLALI

Chapter 105 (Parallel to Book 1)


39. He spread out a cloud for shelter, and fire to illuminate the night.
40. They asked, and He brought quails, and the bread of heaven sated them.
41. He opened a rock and water flowed; in the deserts ran rivers.
 

PSALM 89 (Parallel to Book 5)

47. How long, O Lord? Will You hide forever? Will Your anger burn like fire?
 

Week 47 (Book 6): Reviewing the Week of Rosh Chodesh Elul - Psalms 139-141; 105:42-44; 89:48

Psalms

Chapter 139

1. For the Conductor, by David, a psalm. O Lord, You have probed me, and You know. 2. You know my sitting down and my standing up; You perceive my thought from afar. 3. You encircle my going about and my lying down; You are familiar with all my paths. 4. For there was not yet a word on my tongue-and behold, Lord, You knew it all. 5. You have besieged me front and back, You have laid Your hand upon me. 6. Knowledge [to escape You] is beyond me; it is exalted, I cannot know it. 7. Where can I go [to escape] Your spirit? And where can I flee from Your presence? 8. If I ascend to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the grave, behold, You are there. 9. Were I to take up wings as the dawn and dwell in the furthest part of the sea, 10. there, too, Your hand would guide me; Your right hand would hold me. 11. Were I to say, "Surely the darkness will shadow me," then the night would be as light around me. 12. Even the darkness obscures nothing from You; and the night shines like the day-the darkness is as light. 13. For You created my mind; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14. I will thank You, for I was formed in an awesome and wondrous way; unfathomable are Your works, though my soul perceives much. 15. My essence was not hidden from You even while I was born in concealment, formed in the depths of the earth. 16. Your eyes beheld my raw form; all [happenings] are inscribed in Your book, even those to be formed in future days-to Him they are the same. 17. How precious are Your thoughts to me, O G-d! How overwhelming, [even] their beginnings! 18. Were I to count them, they would outnumber the sand, even if I were to remain awake and always with You. 19. O that You would slay the wicked, O G-d, and men of blood [to whom I say], "Depart from me!” 20. They exalt You for wicked schemes, Your enemies raise [You] for falsehood. 21. Indeed, I hate those who hate You, Lord; I contend with those who rise up against You. 22. I hate them with the utmost hatred; I regard them as my own enemies. 23. Search me, Lord, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. 24. See if there is a vexing way in me, then lead me in the way of the world.

Chapter 140

1. For the Conductor, a psalm by David. 2. Rescue me from the evil man, protect me from the man of violence, 3. who devise evil schemes in their heart; every day they gather for wars. 4. They sharpen their tongues like a serpent; the spider's venom is forever under their lips. 5. Guard me, Lord, from the hands of the wicked, protect me from the man of violence-those who plot to cause my steps to slip. 6. Arrogant ones have hidden a snare for me, and ropes; they spread a net by my path, they set traps for me continually. 7. I said to the Lord, "You are my G-d!" Listen, O Lord, to the voice of my pleas. 8. G-d, my Lord, the strength of my deliverance, You sheltered my head on the day of armed battle. 9. Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked; fulfill not his scheme, make it unattainable forever. 10. As for the head of my besiegers, let the deceit of their own lips bury them. 11. Let burning coals fall upon them; let it cast them down into the fire, into deep pits, never to rise again. 12. Let not the slanderous man be established in the land; let the evil of the man of violence trap him until he is overthrown. 13. I know that the Lord will execute judgment for the poor, justice for the needy. 14. Indeed, the righteous will extol Your Name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.

Chapter 141

1. A psalm by David. O Lord, I have called You, hasten to me; listen to my voice when I call to You. 2. Let my prayer be set forth as incense before You, the raising of my hands as an afternoon offering. 3. O Lord, place a guard for my mouth, keep watch over the door of my lips. 4. Do not incline my heart to a bad thing-to perform deeds in wickedness, with men, doers of evil; let me not partake of their delicacies. 5. Let the righteous one strike me with kindness and let him rebuke me; like the finest oil, let my head not refuse it. For as long [as I live], my prayer is [to preserve me] from their harm. 6. For their judges have slipped because of their [hearts of] rock, though they heard my words and they were pleasant. 7. As one who chops and splinters [wood] on the ground, so have our bones been scattered to the mouth of the grave. 8. For to You, G-d, my Lord, are my eyes; in You I take shelter; do not pour out my soul. 9. Protect me from the hands of the snare they laid for me, and from the traps of the evildoers. 10. Let the wicked fall into their own nets together, until I pass over.

Tikkun HaKlali

Chapter 105

42. For He remembered His holy word with Abraham His servant.

43. And He took out His people with joy, His chosen ones with joyful singing.

44. And He gave them lands of nations, and they inherited the toil of kingdoms.

Psalm 89

48. I am mindful what my old age is; for what futility have You created all the sons of man?