The third book of the Torah begins with the word Vayikra.
The word is written with a small letter aleph.
The word Vayikra
means that “Hashem called to Moshe.” Without an aleph at the end it is
also a meaningful word, Vayikar, which would mean that “Hashem happened
upon Moshe.” Rashi explains that whereas G-d happens upon wicked prophets such
as Bilaam, He lovingly seeks and calls out to righteous prophets such as Moshe.
There are many interpretations as to why the letter aleph is written
small. For example the Baal Haturim explains that the small letter is meant to
highlight Moshe’s humility.
I think
that the difference between the words Vayikra and Vayikar,
affords us the opportunity to note the difference that exists between “having a
calling” (Vayikra) and “letting things happen to you.” (Vayikar)
We all have a calling in life and we hope to hear that calling and live it. But
as Ferris Bueller (the movie celebrating its 25th anniversary
this year) so eloquently put it: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and
look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
If we are not listening carefully we can end up not only
missing our calling, but allowing life to just happen to us, instead of making
things happen.
Perhaps this is the lesson of the little aleph. It’s
a fine line between Vayikar and Vayikra, and we must be vigilant
to pay attention and ask for help from the One Above in order to be successful
in finding and fulfilling our calling.
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