And He called to Moshe, and the Lord spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying. (1:1)
Rashi comments: And He called to Moshe: Every time Hashem communicated with Moshe, whether it was represented by the expression of “And He spoke,” or “and He said,” or “and He commanded,” it was always preceded by Hashem calling to Moshe by name. The word is an expression of affection, the expression employed by the angels when addressing each other, as it says, “And one called to the other...” (Yeshayahu. 6:3).
The heilige Apta Rav, HaRav Avraham Yehoshua Heschel, author of the Ohev Yisrael, comments: that Rashi is teaching us a lesson how to serve Hashem. He is referring to people who want to rise in their level of Avoidas Hashem. Moshe Rabbeinu served Hashem in his utmost ability, in the sake of just serving Hashem, and never aspired to rise to higher levels, until Hashem called him with affection, and imposed on him to rise up to a higher level. The Rebbe continues, the fact is that many people served Hashem and aspired to reach higher levels in Avoidah, simply faltered, as they became depressed and despaired.
There is a famous saying and insight from the Baal Shem Tov on the posuk end of Parshas Yisro: “And you shall not ascend with steps upon My altar, so that your bareness shall not be exposed.” (20:23) The word steps, are levels in Avoidah. Hashem is warning: Do not ascend, until I advise you too. Otherwise your weaknesses will be exposed, and you will fallback. Serve Hashem for the sake of serving, and levels will come as Hashem calls upon you, and Hashem raises one‘s level.
The previous Stoliner Rebbe, HaRav Yochanan Perlow always warned his Chassidim from rising to higher levels in Avoidas hashem in a short period of time. He advised to rather rise slower at a normal pace, and as such one would reach higher levels and stay at that level for the time being, until he is ready to ascend to the next level. He used a Maashel: when one wants to race up the stairs, one can do two steps at a time. The wise guy, will try to race up three steps at once. Not only would he fall, but he might hurt himself so bad, and not be able to get up on his feet. This call of affection we learn from Moshe. When Hashem wanted Moshe to rise to a higher level, Hashem called him, and only then Moshe ascended to the next level.
(Yehuda Z. Klitnick)
