Sefer Vayikra begins with a famous textual detail: the word Vayikra — “And He called” — appears in the Torah with a small aleph. The Rosh, Rabbeinu Asher ben Yechiel, explains that the small aleph reflects the humility of Moshe Rabbeinu. Moshe wished to write the word “vayikar” (ויקר) — “and God happened upon him,” a phrase used elsewhere in Tanach when God appears to a prophet in a less intimate way. Moshe, in his modesty, did not want the Torah to emphasize his unique closeness with God. But Hashem instructed him to write the accurate word vayikra — “And He called.” The compromise, according to the Rosh, was to write the final aleph smaller than the rest of the word, preserving the Torah’s language while subtly expressing Moshe’s humility.

But the Torah uses similar language when God calls out to Moshe at the burning bush and again at Mount Sinai. Why, then, is the small aleph introduced specifically here, at the opening of Sefer Vayikra?

The Ktav Sofer (Avraham Shmuel Binyamin Sofer of Pressburg) offers a beautiful explanation. Citing the Gemera in Nedarim 38b, he notes that prophecy rests only upon someone who possesses wisdom, wealth, physical strength, and humility. Intelligence and humility seem obvious, but why would wealth and strength be prerequisites for prophecy?

The Ktav Sofer explains that genuine humility only becomes meaningful when a person has something to be proud of. It is easy to appear humble when one lacks distinction or........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)