The letter Alef in the first word of this week’s Torah portion, the word Vayikra, is written in a small font.
There is a story told about the Tzemach Tzedek (the third Chabad Rebbe) on his first day of school. Following the ancient Jewish custom, the very first verse that he studied at the Cheder, was the first verse of this week’s Parsha – Vayikra (Leviticus) 1:1.
When the future great scholar and spiritual giant returned after the ceremony, he turned to his grandfather, the Alter Rebbe with a question. “Zayde”, he asked, “Why is the letter Alef in the word Vayikra small”?
His grandfather meditated deeply, as was his custom before answering a profound question, and then gave his little grandson the following explanation:
A big letter represents haughtiness – a small letter, humility. Adam, the first Man, become conscious of his own greatness, which in turn caused him to sin. Therefore, in the Book of Chronicles, the Alef in Adam’s name is big.
Moshe, on the other hand, despite his clear greatness, was able to remain humble by attributing his greatness to a gift from G-d. It was this humility, explained the Alter Rebbe, which prevented him from sinning. The small Alef is the word Vayikra in reference to Moshe – is a testament to his humility.
At times in life we think that we are on top of things, our superior characteristics and qualities are what enable us to succeed. At other times, as the old Jewish saying goes, “G-d laughs”. In my case this past week, G-d and I both had a laugh.
Tomorrow morning, our oldest son Shmuli will begin wearing his tefillin as he prepares for his Bar Mitzva which will take place in just over two months. Shmuli has been anticipating this day for years, and the tefillin were duly ordered from the scribe more than a year in advance.
Nu, so G-d laughed.
Something happened on the ‘supply side’, and the scribe, who lives in Canada, informed me on Tuesday mid-day, that there was no chance that I would get the Tfillin in time. I was disappointed, both personally as well as for Shmuli.
And then it was I who laughed.
While heading to my car in SPHDS parking lot while picking up my children after school at 4:00pm, I saw a colleague of mine who was doing the same. I can’t explain why, but I struck a conversation that went something like this:
Me: “I know this is a crazy question to ask, but by any chance, do you know anyone coming here from Montreal?”
My Colleague: “Well, I don’t know anyone flying in from Montreal, but my wife is on the way to Toronto for a wedding and will be returning on Thursday. A brother-in-law of mine who live in Montreal is traveling to Toronto for the same wedding -- I’m sure that he’d be happy to bring them for you.”
I planned and G-d Laughed. G-d planned, and then I laughed.
Lesson learned! I am somewhat more humble today, knowing that G-d is in the driver seat. And boy, can He drive!
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yisroel Hecht