Apr 1/06 - Shabbat Vayikra

Commentary by Chazzan Aníbal Mass

A Rabbi famous for his humility dies and goes to Heaven. There he is received by the prophet Eliahu, who welcomes him to Heaven. The Rabbi excuses himself and tells the prophet that this is not the right way to receive a modest person like him. The prophet, shocked by his illustrious visitor’s humility, calls Abraham so that he can welcome the Rabbi. Abraham comes to the gates of Heaven, but the Rabbi repeats that he cannot enter. Abraham, moved by the humble attitude of the famous Rav, runs to call Moses. Moses stops by the gates to welcome the distinguished Rabbi. But once again, the Rabbi refuses to enter, saying that that’s not the right way to receive a humble person like him. Moses, moved by such a demonstration of humility, calls God so that He can welcome the Rabbi. God comes and tells him: “Welcome to Heaven, my son.” But, to the surprise of everybody, the Rabbi refuses to enter, arguing that that it is not the correct way to receive a person like him. So, God asks him: “Why, my son?” To which the “humble” Rabbi replies: “Where are the photographers?”

This week’s Parashah begins by saying “The LORD spoke to Moses from the sacred tent and gave him instructions for the community of Israel to follow when they offered sacrifices.”

Over the years, many youths (and also adults) have wondered why God spoke with Moses, but He didn’t speak with us? Personally, I think that the question doesn’t make any sense. God didn’t speak with Moses because he was Moses, but rather Moses was Moses because he was able to listen to God, which is a little bit different.

We all have that potential; even when there was not, and there won’t be a prophet like Moses. It is not true that God has stopped speaking; perhaps we have stopped listening.

Let us imagine the way in which a radio works. The waves “float” through the air everywhere, but if we don’t have a receiver or the receiver doesn’t have batteries or we set the dial to the wrong frequency, we will never be able to transform those waves into music or words. Exactly the same thing happens with God. His message is always there. Perhaps the problem is with the receivers.

The Midrash tells us that God didn’t call to Moses with a soft voice, but rather the Voice of God was powerful. His power could even have broken the trees (Tanchuma, Vaikra 1). And even so, the only one who listened to that voice was Moses.

Often we look at the world and we wonder: Is God present? Is this the world that God wants? We see poverty, desolation, wars and violence. Where is God?

If we don’t perceive the presence of God, it is not because He is not there, it’s because our projects don’t match His projects. Moses was the humblest man on earth. Only through real humility can we re-tune our lives to God’s projects and goals. Without humility, He can speak to us, but unfortunately we won’t be able to hear His voice.

Every Kabbalat Shabbat we sing the words from Psalm 29:

Kol Adonai BaKoach (The voice of the LORD is powerful) KoI Adonai Shover Arazim (The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars)

Kol Adonai Yachil Midbar (The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness)

There is not a stronger Voice in this world than the Voice of God… so if we can’t hear it, perhaps it is because our receivers are failing.

Shabbat Shalom.