This week's parsha
Unless otherwise noted, "This week's Parsha" comprises articles taken from contributors to the Chabad.org website. We show the original author's name here, so that proper attribution is given. For the sake of brevity, footnotes cited in the original author's writings are omitted from this website. If you need to see the citations, please refer to the original articles on the Chabad.org website.
Give a Little Push
This week's Torah reading tells us that "... and the fire ... shall be kept burning in [the Altar] ... and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning" (Leviticus 6:5).
The Talmud points out that although there was a fire that descended from heaven, nonetheless a "human input" was required to keep the fire burning.
We could ask a question on this -- and, indeed, on the entire process of the Divine service which took place in the Temple and takes place in our everyday lives: what does G-d need our work for? Surely He could do everything Himself?
The Talmud points out that although there was a fire that descended from heaven, nonetheless a "human input" was required to keep the fire burning.
We could ask a question on this -- and, indeed, on the entire process of the Divine service which took place in the Temple and takes place in our everyday lives: what does G-d need our work for? Surely He could do everything Himself?
Adam and Moses
In the first word of this week's Parshah, Vayikra, the last letter of the word -- an Aleph -- is written in a smaller size than the rest of the word.
The verse tells us "Vayikra el Moshe -- G-d called to Moses..."
The small Aleph alludes to Moshe's humility even in the face of such Divine attention. Conversely, we find in the book of Chronicles that Adam's name is spelled with a large Aleph, symbolizing his greatness -- and his awareness of it. Awareness of one's good qualities is all well and good, but it must not go to the head. With Adam, it did. Moshe rectified this error. He recognized his greatness but more importantly, he recognized where it came from.
Humility does not mean self-delusion, but rather an awareness of one's talents, tempered by acknowledgment of where they come from. Moshe was aware of his qualities but he did not take any credit for it. In fact, he said: "Were somebody else to be granted these qualities, they would surely do even better."
If we feel inadequate, it is time to remember that we are Adams, with a big Aleph. We are formed by G-d, empowered by Him to care for His Creation. However we must draw upon the spark of Moshe within us to avoid over-confidence and self-aggrandizement, but to remember Who everything comes from.
The verse tells us "Vayikra el Moshe -- G-d called to Moses..."
The small Aleph alludes to Moshe's humility even in the face of such Divine attention. Conversely, we find in the book of Chronicles that Adam's name is spelled with a large Aleph, symbolizing his greatness -- and his awareness of it. Awareness of one's good qualities is all well and good, but it must not go to the head. With Adam, it did. Moshe rectified this error. He recognized his greatness but more importantly, he recognized where it came from.
Humility does not mean self-delusion, but rather an awareness of one's talents, tempered by acknowledgment of where they come from. Moshe was aware of his qualities but he did not take any credit for it. In fact, he said: "Were somebody else to be granted these qualities, they would surely do even better."
If we feel inadequate, it is time to remember that we are Adams, with a big Aleph. We are formed by G-d, empowered by Him to care for His Creation. However we must draw upon the spark of Moshe within us to avoid over-confidence and self-aggrandizement, but to remember Who everything comes from.
One and All
A great endeavour comes to a successful conclusion in the Parshah of Pekudei. The Sanctuary is completed by Moses and the Children of Israel.
This beautiful prototype of the Temple was built by everyone. The leading artist, craftsman and architect was Betzalel, but everyone else helped. The Torah mentions the men and the women, with special emphasis on the skill and artistry of the women; the Sages add that also the children took part.
Let us look at this from the eyes of each individual. Each person felt that through the fact the he or she was taking part in the construction of the Sanctuary, whatever his or her individual contribution, the entire structure was built. It is true that without all the other hundreds of thousands of people also taking part, the Sanctuary could not have been completed. Nonetheless, each person felt that he had succeeded in the task to bring the entire Sanctuary into being.
This beautiful prototype of the Temple was built by everyone. The leading artist, craftsman and architect was Betzalel, but everyone else helped. The Torah mentions the men and the women, with special emphasis on the skill and artistry of the women; the Sages add that also the children took part.
Let us look at this from the eyes of each individual. Each person felt that through the fact the he or she was taking part in the construction of the Sanctuary, whatever his or her individual contribution, the entire structure was built. It is true that without all the other hundreds of thousands of people also taking part, the Sanctuary could not have been completed. Nonetheless, each person felt that he had succeeded in the task to bring the entire Sanctuary into being.
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