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By: Ms. Avichayil Arfe


Parshat Tetzaveh is the only parsha in the Torah that doesn't mention Moshe's name (after he was born). The question asked is why? Why isn't Moshe's name mentioned and why is this the only parsha where this is the case?



The Baal Haturim offers two answers. The first being that Moshe said to Hashem: "If you won't forgive the Jewish people, wipe me out of your book." Being that this request was made by Moshe, Hashem had to fulfill it on some level. Therefore, this parsha is where Moshe's name isn't mentioned. 



The second answer the Baal Haturim suggests is that this parsha is about kehuna. It is about Aharon, the Kohen gadol, and not Moshe. Therefore, Moshe's name is not relevant in this parsha.



However, when examining the parsha more closely, Moshe's name is mentioned, but not in the way we would expect. It says: "ואתה תצוה את בני ישראל":  And you should command Bnei Yisrael (27:20), "ואתה הקרב אליך את אהרן אחיך You should bring near to yourself Aharon your brother (28:1), "ואתה תדבר אל כל חכמי לב"- And you should speak to all that are wise-hearted (28:3). The mention of the word "v'ata"- you = Moshe. Each time, Hashem speaks to Moshe, He tells him to pass something along. 



Moshe's name isn't mentioned not because the parsha is about someone else. Moshes name isn’t mentioned because the parsha has a different goal. In life, we are focused on our purposes, our potential, and our goals. But we need to be aware that there are other missions in life, and other people that need to fulfill these missions. Sometimes, the way we fulfill our mission is by telling other people how to fulfill their mission. In this parsha, we see exactly that. Here, Moshe had a role to play by telling Bnei Yisrael, Aharon and  the Chochmei Lev (wise-hearted) what they needed to do to build the Mishkan or work in it. Sometimes the greatest form of leadership is to take a step back, and enable someone else take a step forward.



Shabbat Shalom!



 


 

 

 

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