Parshas Vayikra – Zachor (5765)

Bs”d

Parshas Vayikra – Zachor (5765)
By Mordechai Dolinsky

Rashi quotes the Chazal that Hashem addresses Moshe with “Vayikra” expressing love to the contrast of addressing the impure, defiled prophets of the nations using “Vayiker” which applies negativity.  Here we see the difference in one letter, the lowest number, which according to our tradition the aleph is written in a very small manner.  The word expressing the extreme opposite of love could have been from a completely different root.  The very obvious lesson is that the difference between extreme love and the opposite can be extremely small and delicate.  It can be manifested in a different sentence, a word, or even the expression on our face or tone of voice.  The Heavenly court demands our sensitivity to this. Perhaps the essence of Amalek is the denial of this sensitivity which could be an interpretation of what the Chumash attributes to Amalek—”Asher Korcha Baderech”—from the root of “Vayiker”.  This is a reflection of their grand ancestor “Esav” who despite the respect he displayed for his father Yitzchok, he spoke to him and communicated with him in a coarse, degrading manner.

Bring joy with your communications and bracha to yourself and Clal Yisroel.