The book of Vaikra -- Leviticus, which we begin reading this week, details the laws pertaining to the offerings that were brought in the Sanctuary and Holy Temples.
It begins with the words, "And He called to Moses."
Rashi, the great Torah commentator, explains that G-d called out to Moses with a special and unique love.
Chasidic philosophy further elaborates on the significance of the fact that G-d's name is not directly mentioned. This great love, it explains, emanates from an attribute of G-d so lofty and elevated that it exists beyond the limitations imposed by a name. G-d's very essence, as it were, was calling out to Moses.
Chasidut also teaches that every Jew has a spark of the soul of Moses within his own.
G-d's calling out to Moses with special love is therefore a call to every Jew, no matter who he/she is. The directives that followed, the details of the korbanot (from the Hebrew meaning "to draw near"), are the instructions by which man may draw closer to G-d, and apply to every Jew, in every time and in every place.
This concept is also reflected in the haftara (from the Book of Isaiah) which is usually read in conjunction with the Torah portion. "This people have I formed for Myself; they shall tell My praise."
The first part of the verse seems to indicate G-d's great love of the Jewish people; the second half seems to refer to their prayers, good deeds and Torah study, through which G-d's name is made great.
Yet, studying the verse in depth, we find that the type of praise G-d refers to here is of an entirely different sort, one which is totally independent of a Jew's actions.
"This people have I formed for Myself," G-d states. The Jewish people belong to G-d; it is only through them that His sovereignty over the world is established, for a king cannot rule without subjects. A Jew, by his very nature and not by virtue of his actions, is created special.
"They shall tell My praise," G-d continues. The continued existence of the Jewish people in itself reveals the glory of G-d.
The fact that the Jewish nation, "one sheep among seventy wolves," is still flourishing after thousands of years testifies to the greatness of G-d. Every Jew bears witness to the existence of G-d and causes His name to be praised.
This is especially relevant for our generation, following, as it does, the terrible decimation of our brethren during the Holocaust.
The fact that Jews exist today, proudly continuing our holy tradition and raising a new generation of Jews to further imbue the world with holiness is in itself miraculous, bearing witness to G-d's greatness.
This tremendous love which G-d feels for every Jew, regardless of his deeds, indicates just how important it is for us to love our fellow Jew and to always judge others favorably, for each of us is G-d's special treasure.
Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe.
