5784/2024
In the opening pasuk of Parashat VaYikra, it says, "וַיִּקְרָ֖א אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר ה’ אֵלָ֔יו מֵאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד לֵאמֹֽר”, “God called to Moses and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying.” (VaYikra 1:1). The question that is commonly asked is why use both verbs of וַיִּקְרָ֖א and וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר? Also, why is Hashem calling for Moshe? The Torah usually says … וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר ה‘ אליו. So why use both words, וַיִּקְרָ֖א and וידבר?
According to Rabbeinu Bachya, a 14th-century commentator, the answer can be found at the end of last week’s maftir, in Parashat Pekudei. The pasuk says: "וַיְכַ֥ס הֶֽעָנָ֖ן אֶת־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֑ד וּכְב֣וֹד ה׳ מָלֵ֖א אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן: וְלֹֽא־יָכֹ֣ל משֶׁ֗ה לָבוֹא֙ אֶל־אֹ֣הֶל מוֹעֵ֔ד כִּֽי־שָׁכַ֥ן עָלָ֖יו הֶֽעָנָ֑ן וּכְב֣וֹד ה׳ מָלֵ֖א אֶת־הַמִּשְׁכָּֽן", “And the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and the glory of Hashem filled the Mishkan. Moses could not enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud rested upon it and the glory of Hashem filled the Mishkan” (Shemot 40: 34-35). As we know, when the Jews rested in the Midbar, the cloud/Shechinah of Hashem descended and rested in the Mishkan. Moshe was not allowed to enter the tent where the Shechina rested, unless Hashem permitted him to do so. The phrase "וַיִּקְרָ֖א אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה" is Hashem calling for him, granting the permission he was waiting for. Additionally, the "וַיְדַבֵּ֤ר ה” is the start of Hashem’s conversation with Moshe.
After answering the question, a new question arises. Why is Pekudei’s maftir not the start of Parashat VaYikra? They should be connected!
Rav Hirsch explains that the theme of Sefer Shemot is redemption. It begins with the Jews in slavery for hundreds of years, a terrible time in Jewish history and Hashem releasing us from slavery through His miracles. In reality, that is just the beginning. True Geulah, full redemption, is when the presence of Hashem rests with his people. Only then can the book of the Redemption from Egypt conclude. The maftir of Pekudei must appear in Sefer Shemot to set forth our goal. We are in Galut, awaiting the Final Redemption and we must yearn for the time when the Clouds of Glory will reappear and Hashem’s Presence will rest uponus, Bi’Miheira Bi’Yamenui, Amen.