Parashat Vayikra
March 10, 2022
Rabbi Harry Pell, Associate Head of School
The parashah of Vayikra kicks off the new book of Vayikra (Leviticus), but is perhaps most famous for its textual anomaly. According to tradition, the alef of the word Vayikra is intentionally written in what a modern reader might call a smaller ‘point size’ than the rest of the word. And as opposed to some of our other unique but well-explained traditions, the small alef is an enigma. There is no one accepted reason why we write our Sifrei Torah this way. 
This lack of an established reason for the small alef hasn’t prevented our sages and contemporary rabbis from suggesting their own reasons, however. On the contrary, it has encouraged it!
This lack of an established reason for the small alef hasn’t prevented our sages and contemporary rabbis from suggesting their own reasons, however. On the contrary, it has encouraged it!
From the midrash, quoted by many earlier commentators, we learn that the small alef in Vayikra is meant to emphasize the alef and draw attention to it, distinguishing it from the same word without the alef, Vayikar. When things happen ‘Vayikar,’ they happen randomly, by chance. Moshe’s relationship with God on the other hand is a ‘Vayikra’ relationship, a loving, close connection.
According to Rabbi Jonathan Sacks z”l, one of our senior darshanim’s most favorite sources to quote, the small alef reminds us that God’s presence isn’t always felt in large ways. Sometimes, God makes Godself known to us in small ways, like the small alef.
In the mystical tradition, the small alef represents the core kabbalistioc value of tzimtzum, or condensing oneself to make room for others. The small alef reminds us of the need for tzimtzum in our own lives.
According to Rabbi Becky Hoffman, building on generations of commentary, the small alef simply represents Moshe’s humility, as he made himself small, a quality worthy of emulation.
Professor Ze’ev Falk z”l raised a different perspective, pointing out that while we assume it was Hashem calling Moshe in this pasuk, the text doesn’t actually say that. To Professor Falk’s mind, the small alef signifies that Moshe didn’t realize it was God calling him, and he would ask further, do we always realize who is calling out to us?
What does the small alef actually mean? That remains open to interpretation – but I hope you have enjoyed this sampling of possibilities. Have a different thought? email me - I’d love to hear!
Shabbat Shalom!