Heading into this Shabbat and the week ahead, we find ourselves in an interesting spot, as we begin a new sefer in the Torah, Vayikra, and prepare to celebrate the holiday of Purim next week. On some level, the book of Vayikra in the Torah and Megillat Esther, which records the story of Purim, are very different. Vayikra is primarily a book of law while Megillat Esther, on the other hand, is primarily a narrative or story. Yet there is at least one important message that is found within each book which I want to share with you, our students, today and which I believe directly connects to the importance of your achievements.
One lesson we learn from Megillat Esther is that a single individual has the ability to accomplish great things in life. Looking at Esther specifically, she leaves that which she knows, conceals her identity, challenges the status quo, and ultimately saves the Jewish people. But lest you think that it is all done by chance, her uncle, Mordechai, reminds her, encourages her, and instills in her the idea that she was meant to be the savior for her community. Her life, and all that she experienced, was in preparation for this role. It was not by chance that she was chosen, but because of her personality, her ethic and her sheer will.
At the start of Vayikra, we are told that God called out to Moshe and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting. In the actual sefer Torah, the first word, Vayikra, is written strangely. Vav- Yud - Kuf - Reish are all written in the same format. But the final letter, aleph, is written in a much smaller size. Why? What does this teach us?
Rashi, the most famous of our biblical commentators, addresses this issue by highlighting a verse in which a false prophet, Bil’aam, is mentioned. In that story, when God appears to Bil’aam, it uses the language of “Va-yikar” --- Vav- Yud - Kuf - Reish- which can be translated as, “and he chanced upon him.” Meaning, God doesn’t truly connect with those who are not worthy...God merely, by happenstance, interacts with them once in awhile.
With Moshe, however, it was different. God himself calls upon Moshe, intentionally, utilizing the language of “Vayikra” - and he called. The scribes, in writing the letter aleph in a smaller format than the rest of the word, are trying to teach us something. They are trying to show us that God does not “chance upon” Moshe. This is not some random interaction. Rather, God intentionally calls out to Moshe, choosing Moshe as the individual with whom He shall speak.
The message being delivered is that Moshe had earned the right to be called out by God. He had proved himself as a leader. He had shown his abilities and through his effort and his hard work, he deserved to be recognized.
Those who are being inducted today into your respective Honor Societies have earned this honor. Your name is being called not by chance, not by some strange twist of fate, but because you have put in the time, the effort, and the hard work to be called a member of an Honor Society.
Like Esther, and like Moshe, you have earned this accolade. May your recognition today propel you even farther tomorrow.
Rabbi Lesack
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