5784/2024
The opening Passuk of this week’s Parashah raises several questions. Why does the Torah use the Shoresh of Kara instead of Daber or Amar? Additionally, why does Hashem tell Moshe to speak to Bnei Yisreal and not mention Aharon since when other Mitzvot are given Aharon is mentioned?
Rashi gives one answer that all conversations between Hashem and Moshe were preceded by a call. This call shows Hashem’s love for Moshe and Bnei Yisrael. The Ramban agrees with Rashi and adds that this call was also to serve as encouragement for Moshe.
If every conversation between Hashem and Moshe was always preceded by a call, how come this is the only one recorded in the Torah?
The Abarbanel gives a different explanation than Rashi and The Ramban. The Abarbanel explains that when someone calls they want the person they are calling to come close. Hashem wants Moshe to come close to him. This is the idea behind someone bringing a Korban, the person bringing the Korban wants to come close to Hashem. The Shoresh of Korban is Karov which means to come close. This could explain why the Torah records Hashem’s call to Moshe before the conversation. Before Hashem tells Moshe how Bnei Yisrael could come close to Him, Hashem wants Moshe to come close. This could also explain why Aharon is not mentioned in the giving of the command. This Mitzvah is from the perspective of the person giving the Korban and not the perspective of the Kohanim. This is the reason why Aharon is not mentioned in the commandement.
Today since we don’t have Korbanot we need other ways of coming close to Hashem. Tefillah is one way of coming close to Hashem. Just like Hashem wanted Moshe to come close, Hashem wants us to come close through our Tefilot. May all of our Tefilot be answered L’Tova.