From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
This week's Torah portion is the first portion in the Book of Leviticus- Vayikra. The Book of Leviticus, which deals primarily with the laws of sacrifices, opens with the words "And He [G-d] called (Vayikra) to Moses." According to Rashi, the foremost Torah commentator, this expression "is language indicating affection." G-d called out to Moses as a manifestation of His love.
Chasidut explains that the fact that the Torah does not specify by name who is calling is significant. G-d's call to Moses is derived from His Essence, which transcends all Names or descriptions. Similarly, G-d's affection for Moses also stems from His very Essence.
A “Spark” of the Soul of Moses
Every Jew possesses a "spark" of the soul of Moses; G-d's "call of affection" is thus directed to every individual Jew. In Leviticus, G-d teaches us how to offer the korbanot (sacrifices), from the root word meaning closeness. By means of the korbanot, one is able to draw closer to G-d.
This same idea is also expressed in the haftorah that is usually read after the portion of Vayikra, which begins with the words "This people have I formed for Myself; they shall proclaim My praise." Like the opening verse of Leviticus, these words describe G-d's tremendous love for His people.
The simple explanation of the verse is that the Jews proclaim G-d's praise through their actions, i.e., by observing G-d's commandments, studying His Torah and praying to Him. But on a deeper level, G-d is "praised" independent of the Jewish people's conduct and even their will. This is the natural consequence of the Jews' very existence, and nothing else.
The first half of the verse describes the Jews' fundamental nature: "This people have I formed for Myself." By mere virtue of his existence a Jew belongs to G-d, having been created specifically for that purpose.
A Jew Proclaims G-d’s Greatness Just by Being Alive
However, the Jewish people "proclaim G-d's praise" in the collective sense as well. The simple fact that the Jews - "a sheep among 70 wolves" - have survived while other, mightier nations have disappeared off the face of the earth, is a tribute to the Alm-ghty. A Jew proclaims G-d's greatness just by being alive.
This is especially true in our generation, the generation after the Holocaust. Whenever one sees a Jew continuing the tradition and passing Judaism along to the next generation, it is a living miracle of the Holy One, blessed be He.
G-d loves every Jew with an essential love regardless of his actions. From this we learn how important it is to love our fellow Jews unconditionally, judge them favorably, and always treat others with respect. For "This people have I formed for Myself; they shall proclaim My praise!"
Reprinted from the Parshat Vayikra 5761/2001 edition of L’Chaim Weekly. Adapted from volume 1 of Sefer HaSichot 5750.
More Thoughts that Count for Our Parsha
When a person will sin unintentionally from among all the commandments of G-d that may not be done...for his sin that he committed he shall bring...a sin-offering (Lev. 4:2-3)
Why should a person be expected to bring an offering for a sin he committed accidentally, i.e., without prior intent? The answer is that had he not already committed the same sin deliberately, G-d would have prevented him from being in a situation where he repeated it unintentionally. This is alluded to by the text itself: "When a person will sin unintentionally...for his sin that he committed." (Rabbi Moses Alshich)
Reprinted from the Parshat Vayikra 5761/2001 edition of L’Chaim Weekly.
