The Torah is speaking to you. D’var Torah for Parshat Tetzaveh
This powerful message emerges out of the very first word of Parshat Tetzaveh, and that word is “Ve’attah” – “and you”.
Hashem was addressing Moshe. And, as is well-known, Tetzaveh is the only portion of the Torah outside of the book of Bereshit which doesn’t mention Moshe’s name. Every time Hashem was giving an instruction to Moshe, instead of mentioning the name, we have the word “Ve’attah” – “and you”.
Here Hashem was giving the instructions relating to Moshe’s responsibility to have the Mishkan – the sanctuary in the wilderness – built and furnished. And the implication of the “Ve’attah” – “and you” is: Moshe, it must be you, and nobody else.
I find this very intriguing. Because, in Parshat Yitro, the Torah teaches us how important it is for good leaders to know how to delegate, how to share their responsibility with other capable people, and not to take the power, the glory, and the responsibility exclusively into their own hands.
And in Pirkei Avot, we are taught, “Lo alecha ham’lacha ligmor” – you don’t have to finish every task you undertake, “V’lo ata ben chorin l’hibatel mimena” – but that doesn’t mean to say you should desist from it; other people can also have a share in what you are doing, in order that you should achieve your aspirations.
Coming back to Parshat Tetzaveh, Ramban and Sforno teach us that the word “Ve’attah” – “and you” – implies that what Hashem was saying to Moshe was, there are many occasions on which indeed, it has to be you.
In order to be a great leader, the nation needs to see you leading from the front. People should never have a perception that you’re lazy. On the contrary, they should know that you are utilising every living moment in order to lead them responsibly – to tirelessly guide and inspire them.
From the word “Ve’attah”, we learn that a great leader is somebody who says, “Acharai” – follow me, follow my example.
From the word “Ve’attah”, we learn that a great leader is not somebody who says, “Do as I say,” but rather, “Do as I do.”
Shabbat Shalom.
