Page 64 - VAIKRA

vaikra It is customary to first begin teaching children the parshiyot concerning

korbanot, because these parshiyot arouse young hearts to dedicate
Rabbi Elazar responded to his wife’s hesitation that he accept the position themselves to serve Hashem with mesirut nefesh, due to the untarnished
of Nasi that it would be worthwhile for him to become Nasi,evenif he innocence and purity they possess. Just as a child is ready to sacrifice
would retain this position only for one day. Did he seek leadership for 2 himself for a trivial candy, likewise, he can be trained to channel this trait
self-gratification, wanting this position only for his personal enjoyment?
of mesirut nefesh toward fulfilling Hashem’s will.
We can resolve this question by analyzing the reason for the small letter The letter that appears in small print in the word hints at the
in the word This indicates Moshe’s great humility. He thought small children, from whom we can learn self-sacrifice. It also signifies that
that Hashem was calling to a different person named “Moshe.” The word man must honor and appreciate even ordinary mitzvot that seem
spelled backwards is (wonder). This implies that Moshe insignificant to him, and not just invest in the more famous and infrequent
Rabbeinu wondered why Hashem accorded him such honor and called mitzvot.
specifically to him. In addition, we can explain that word is from
the root word (coincidence), implying that in his great humility, Each person is obligated to fulfill his mission in this world and to sacrifice
himself for the fulfillment of mitzvot that require extraordinary effort. In
Moshe Rabbeinu requested that Hashem appear to him coincidentally as
this way he will merit special protection from Hashem.
He appeared to the rasha, Bilaam.
It states, “ – When a person from among you will
bring.” This can be read as, “When a person will sacrifice himself for your
sake,” implying that the Nasi had to be prepared to sacrifice himself for
the Jewish people. Likewise, the Nasi had to be willing to serve as
atonement for Am Yisrael.

The Nasi and leader of the Jewish people had to embody the two virtues
of humility and submission. These traits were evident in Moshe Rabbeinu, “Hashem called to Moshe, and spoke to him
Shaul Hamelech, and David Hamelech. Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah wanted from the Tent of Meeting saying: Speak to the
to be appointed Nasi in order to acquire these two virtues. Since he was Children of Israel and say to them: When a
comparatively young, he consulted with his wife as to whether he should person from among you will bring an offering
accept the appointment. Despite her reservations, Rabbi Elazar decided to Hashem: from the animals – from the cattle
that it was worthwhile for him to serve as a Nasi even if it would be for and from the flocks you shall bring your
one day only, because he would then merit the acquisition of these offering”
important virtues. Even if he would be removed from his position, the two
virtues of humility and submission would remain his forever. (Vayikra 1:1-2)
Chazal explain that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel asked Rabbi Yishmael
what was the reason for their death sentence. After he scrutinized all his
past deeds, he concluded that it was because he once made a woman wait

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