Written by Rabbi Gidon Goldberg
Dear Parents,
Sefer Vayikra begins with the words: “And He called to Moshe, and Hashem spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying …”
Rashi explains that לאמר teaches us that the Voice stopped and did not emanate beyond the Ohel Moed. If someone had tried listening in behind the curtains of the Ohel Moed on that conversation, he would not have heard anything. But if it was a loud voice, why did it not go beyond the confines of the Ohel Moed?
The sefer Darchei Mussar suggests that this was not due to a miracle. In reality, the Voice was loud enough to be heard—but the people were not “tuned in” to hear that Voice. Do you know how a dog whistle works? Its frequency is set to a range audible to a dog, but not to humans. The Voice of Hashem, l’havdil is a sound that can only be discerned by one on the spiritual level of Moshe Rabbeinu.
There are many sounds from Shomayim, but we do not always hear them. As we learn more Torah, perfect our avodas Hashem, and come closer to Hashem, we become more receptive to His messages and recognize His rotzon. As our children mature, they too become more “attuned” to emes, and their actions become more in line with that Voice. Until then, we need to be patient with them, guide them, and help them to hear Hashem’s messages.
Gut Shabbos,
Rabbi Gidon Goldberg
Head of School