Moses and You

In the entire parshah of Tetzaveh, the name of Moses is not mentioned once.

At the same time, the entire parshah consists of G‑d speaking directly to Moses, telling him, “You shall do this” and “You shall do that.”

It is all a reflection of a deep, inner tension within Moses himself. Indeed, within every true teacher.

Moses, being the ultimate teacher, was a man torn between dual allegiances.

His life was bound up entirely with the Torah that he taught, so that he and the Torah were one.

And his life was bound up entirely with the people that he led, nurtured and loved.

So when his people made a golden calf, and G‑d was about to exterminate them, Moses had to decide who he was at his very essence.

He discovered he was his people.

He said, “Forgive them or erase me from this book You have written!”

G‑d did both. He forgave the people. And He erased the name of Moses from the previous parshah.

Because just as Moses had revealed his innermost self by demanding to be erased, so this parshah speaks of Moses as he is beyond Moses, beyond any name.

Just “you.”