The Third Book: Vayikra, and He Called

When God calls to Moshe, it seems that it is rarely good news. Rashi tries to understand what the word Vayikra really means.

Every time God spoke to Moshe, he was welcomed by this calling which was a term of endearment. It was the same language used by the ministering angels for they too, 'called one to the other...' (Isaiah)...And the voice went to Moshe alone for Israel was unable to hear the sound... Yet, everything God said to Moshe for thirty-eight years, was for the sake of Israel. It was only after the generation of the spies--those who were afraid to conquer the land of Israel-- had died that God spoke to Moshe for his sake alone. As it is written, "After all the people from the generation of the war had passed, God spoke to me.

What does Rashi mean when he says that "everything God said to Moshe for thirty-eight years, was for the sake of Israel."? Click here