Shabbat Forshpeis
A Taste of Torah in Honor of Shabbat
PARSHAT TEZAVEH
THE IMPORTANCE OF STEPPING BACK
FEBRUARY 14 -15, 2003 / 13 ADAR I 5763
No individual is mentioned more often
in the Torah than Moshe (Moses). In fact, in the books of Exodus, Leviticus and
Numbers, Moshe is mentioned in every portion - except one; the portion of Tezaveh
which we read this Shabbat.
Some suggest that Moshe's name is omitted as this portion is usually read during the week marking Moshe's death. Still others insist that this portion occurs after the incident of the Golden Calf when Moshe tells God, "if you do not forgive the sin of the Jewish people, blot my name out of the Torah." (Exodus 32:33) Having made this statement, his name, indeed, never appears in Tezaveh.
Another suggestion comes to mind. After all, although he does not appear by name, Moshe plays a significant role in this portion. The Torah tells us that Moshe, who according to the Ibn Ezra was the first priest, brings Aaron his brother "near" to become High Priest. (Exodus 28:1) Moreover, Moshe speaks to the wise hearted men to make Aaron's priestly garments. (Exodus 28:3) Additionally Moshe prepares the sacrificial service to be offered on the day Aaron would assume his post. (Exodus 29:1) Finally, Moshe washes Aaron and his sons and actually dresses them in their priestly garments. (Exodus 29:4-9)
But in every instance, without exception, Moshe is mentioned through the use of a pronoun. He is not mentioned by name, perhaps to underscore that Moshe was prepared to share leadership, to shine the spotlight on his brother, and when doing so, far from feeling jealous or cheated, he felt joyous.
So joyous that he himself calls Aaron forward, he himself arranges for Aaron's garments, he himself prepares the sacrificial service for Aaron, and he himself washes and dresses Aaron. In fact, Moshe even washes and dresses Aaron's sons, an action that perhaps could evoke the greatest jealousy in him, as it reminds Moshe that his sons were unworthy to inherit his position of leadership.
Hence, Moshe's name is not mentioned because even as he steps forward to facilitate every step of Aaron becoming the High Priest, he does so graciously and remains absolutely self-effacing. Moshe, the leader of leaders, is true to the Torah's description of him: "Now the man Moshe was very humble, more than any human being on the face of the earth." (Numbers 12:3)
All this teaches the power of stepping back, making space for others-joyously and with humility. God teaches us this through the concept of "tsimtsum", the kabbalistic idea that in order to create the world, the limitless God, who is beyond our comprehension, limited himself in order to make room for humanity to live and act with free will. We too have to strive to be like God -- to step back and let others in. By doing so we can work to make the world a place of true partnership and camaraderie - a place of humility and one filled with the presence of God.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Avi Weiss
|
|
|
