This week’s Torah portion is one of a kind. Tetzaveh is the only portion that does not have Moshe’s name mentioned in it. From the time we meet Moshe until the end of the Torah (excluding his first-person sermons), he is always mentioned. Except for this parsha.
Interestingly, we read this portion this year right before Purim. Unique among all the books of the Bible (תנ"ך), only the Book of Esther does not contain G-d’s name, not even once.
Might there be a connection?
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The primary antagonist in the Purim story is a man named Haman. He plots to annihilate the Jewish people. His name is mentioned numerous times in the Megillah. According to tradition, we make a special effort to denounce him when we hear his name mentioned during the reading of the Book of Esther.
Isn’t it ironic that Haman is mentioned so many times, yet G-d is completely absent?
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The reason for Moshe’s absence might help us understand. When the Jews sinned with the Golden Calf, Moshe begged G-d to forgive them. But, G-d was unmoved. Eventually, Moshe threatened G-d: If you don’t forgive the Jewish people, erase me from Your Book!
G-d did indeed forgive the Jewish people. But, Moshe’s words had some impact and G-d ‘fulfilled’ them in this week’s parsha. His name is absent.
If G-d forgave the Jewish people, why is Moshe’s name missing even from one parsha?
The Chassidic Masters explain that Moshe’s missing name is not a slight. It is a tribute to his leadership.
With the wicked, their greatness is seen through their boisterous presence. They have no substance. It’s all talk.
Regarding the righteous, the opposite is true. The holy tzaddikim emulate their Creator. G-d’s greatness is not found only in the earth-shattering miracles of Splitting the Sea. The Purim story reminds us that every event in our lives is divinely ordained. G-d is constantly working behind the scenes. In fact, He intentionally designed this universe in a way that His presence is intangible, though certainly visible to the seeking eye.
So too, the righteous do not seek the limelight. Moshe, the reluctant leader (see the first portion of Shemot), is celebrated not when his name is present, but when his name is missing. The greatest glory of Moshe is the fact that he stood by his people at such a difficult moment. G-d rewarded him, by elevating him to emulate the Divine, which is exactly what Moshe deserves.
Haman’s impact dies on the gallows. All that’s left of him is a hollow name that we blot out on Purim. Moshe’s name continues to inspire every day.
It’s not how loud you are, but how present you are behind the scenes, that really matters.
This Purim, let’s blot out the hollowness of Haman and embrace the quiet, enduring contribution of Moshe.
That’s not something I want to dress up as. It’s something I really want to be!