Vayikra

In the week’s Torah reading, called Vayikra, there is an oddity.  The word Vayikra is written with a tiny aleph as the last letter.  It is actually written that way in the holy Torah.

Why?  Without the aleph the word Vayikra become Vayikar, changing the meaning from “And He called….” to “And he was dear…”

Perhaps it could indicate two meanings at once.  God “called” to Moses and spoke to him the next words.  At the same, time, it is implicit that Moses was very “dear” to God.  Why would there be a need to state both?  Maybe God always holds us very dear when He calls to us….even when we are oblivious to the call.  This is a powerful idea because with other people we want them to respond to us for we connect with them.  It is not so with God.   He reaches out even when we do not reciprocate.

Could this be the lesson we are being taught?  That God wants us to always think the best of one another.  When someone does not acknowledge our efforts or our presence we become offended and want to strike back at them.  Yet, we know the truth: there are times when a person is so self-absorbed they do not see what is happening around them.  Other times they are nursing a wound, which may have nothing to do with us.  And by our misinterpretation of their action we can destroy this relationship.

It is a mitzvah to forgive and judge people kindly.  May we do so.  With all the comments made, especially with which we do not agree, may kindness prevail over bitterness.