In passaic א perek א & ב Hashem tells Moshe to tell the jews that they have to bring karbanot to Hashem. Why does the torah decide to use the word ויקרא and not one of the other synonyms such as "וידבר"? Rashi explains that a word such a ויקרא is a word used to show affection. As extra credit one time I learned that the first Rashi of every sefer shows affection and love towards the jews. I think this is a very nice idea that the torah decides to start each sefer off on the right foot.
Why else does the torah decide to use the word ויקרא and not one of the other synonyms such as "וידבר"?
According to Rabbi Meir, The word Vyikra is used because it is a causal term. Additionally, he says that the word Vyikra comes from the word Kara (call) which implies relaxation.
ReplyDeleteChizkuni comments that the beginning of this parsha connects to the end of Shmot. At the end of Shmot it says that Hashem's glory filled the tabernacle so that Moshe was unable to enter. So now, Hashem is calling out to Moshe to let him know that he has permission to go into the tabernacle.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason why the verb “Vayikra” was chosen to be written down, as opposed to other verbs, was because when G-d told Moshe to write the word Vayikra Moshe did not want to write down the last aleph in the word Vayikra. Moshe had thought that writing the aleph would give Moshe too much prominence. Because Moshe was so humble he felt that it was wrong to write that G-d called to him because he was nothing actually, just an ordinary man. Because of his humbleness Moshe wished just to write Vayikar instead. So that the Pasuk would be translated that Hashem “came across Moshe” and did not go out of His way to be before to Moshe. Despite Moshe’s wishes, Hashem spoke to him and told him that he must add the alef so that the Pasuk would be translated as, “And He called”. Although Moshe added the aleph, he made it small to show how unimportant he really is. This is a reason as to why the verb Vayikra was chosen, in order to display to Bnie Yisroel the incomparable humbleness of Moshe Rabeinu. (Said by Rabbi Yaakov Asher Sinclair)
ReplyDeleteRabbi Chaim Grossman explains that vayikra was a more involved/loving word rather than vayedaber being a word that follows the exact translation without any strings attatched, this idea reminded me of what we learned in Chumash class where one word was a more "Involved" word and showed that God really did care, and the other word was just the word being used without having such a significant importance
ReplyDeleteThe Daat zekenim brings in the source the tanchuma and says that that source believes that it uses "vayikra" instead or another word is because Hashem had to literally call upon Moshe. The tanchuma believes that Moshe was outside the ohel moed and Hashem had to call him in to speak to him. If it would have said vayidaber or any other word if would not have been indicating that Moshe was being called for, but only that he was being spoken to. The worm vayikra indicated that he's being spoken to and called forth. Hashem called him in because moshes glory laid inside but Moshe did not feel comftorable entering the ohel moed while the cloud was outside. This is why Hashem had to call him inside.
ReplyDeleteThe Tur Haroch quotes Ramban who says that all conversations that begin with ויקרא is God telling Moshe to get ready to be addressed by the שכינה. This fits in well wth the מפרשים that we learnt about why Moshe may (or may not) have divorced his wife.
ReplyDeleteKli Yakar says that here ויקרא means "dear" or "precious", from the word ויקר. It's specifically used here to show HaShem's love because He is calling to Moshe and using the word dear or precious to refer to Moshe.
ReplyDeleteRabbi Jonathan Cohen says that this parsha is called vayikra because it's refusing to Haagen calling out to the cohanim saying these are the laws that apply to your job
ReplyDeleteAccording to Rabbi Elazar Khan the reason "vayikra" is used instead of "va'yidaber" is to show Bnei yisrael's involvement in the mitzvah. Instead of speaking to them and telling them what to do, he is calling upon them to do the mitzvah which raises it above an average commandment.
ReplyDeleteSforno says that the reasoning behind saying vayikra rather than any other word is because Hashem was calling out to Moshe who was outside of the Mishkan. Moshe would never enter the Mishkan without being called in by Hashem so therefore it specifically states that Hahsem called Moshe.
ReplyDeleteParsha.net says that the passuk used the word vayikra because it is a nicer and more loving word. The reason the passuk wanted to use this nicer more loving word was to show that bnei yesroel does the mitzvot.
ReplyDeleteChizkuni says that the beginning of this parsha connects to the end of Shmot. At the end of Shmot it says that Hashem's glory filled the mishkan so that Moshe was unable to enter. So Hashem is talking to Moshe to let him know that he has permission to go into the mishkan
ReplyDeleteWhat's Pshat.org says that the word Vayikra comes from the word Vaikrov, which means to give a korban. By giving a korban, we get closer to Hashem. And this pars ha is all about closeness to Hashem.
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