Dear Friend,
There’s something unusual about this week’s parsha, Tetzaveh—Moses’ name is nowhere to be found. From the moment he was born, his name appears in every single parsha… except this one. Why?
The Baal HaTurim (a.k.a. Rabbi Jacob ben Asher (c. 1270–1340) explains that this is connected to an event that happens later in the Torah. When the Jewish people sinned with the Golden Calf, Moses pleaded with G‑d to forgive them, saying, “If You do not [forgive them], erase me from the book that You have written.” Even though G‑d did forgive the people, Moses’ words had an effect. As a result, his name is missing from one parsha—this one.
But here’s the thing: even though his name is absent, Moses himself is very much present. The entire parsha consists of G‑d speaking directly to him! And instead of his name, we see something even more personal—G‑d refers to him as ve’atah, “and you.”
A name is just a label, a way for others to identify us. But YOU! (yeah - I'm talking to you!) —that speaks to the essence of a person. By stepping aside, by being willing to give up his name for the sake of the Jewish people, Moses didn’t disappear. He became even more deeply connected to the Torah, in a way that goes beyond words.
There’s a powerful lesson here. Real impact isn’t about recognition. It’s about showing up. It’s about being there for others, even when no one sees it.
I want to take a moment to appreciate—because you do that, too. You show up for your family, your friends, your community. You give, you care, you make a difference, often in ways that go unnoticed. And that matters.
So as we enter this Shabbat, know that your presence—your you—is felt and appreciated, more than words can express. Thank you for being part of this Chabad Pittsford community, for showing up, and for making the world just a little bit brighter.
Shabbat Shalom!
Rabbi Yitzi Hein