In the written text of our Torah portion, the last letter of the first word VaYikra, an Alef, is made small. While there are many interpretations as to why this is the case, one of my favorites suggest that this intentional font size adjustment is to highlight Moses' humility.
VaYikra, with an Alef at the end, means called out to, and in the context, that God called out to Moses. According to a Rabbinic interpretation, that made Moses a bit uncomfortable. Moses did not want to imply that God called out to Moses, or was looking for Moses, so he tried to hide the Alef so the word would mean something different. When we take away the Alef from VaYikra, we have VaYikar, which means that God happened upon or chanced upon Moses. In other words, Moses' ability to connect with God in our Torah portion, was not because they were looking for each other or expected something from one another. Rather they found each other somewhat accidentally and unexpectedly.
There may be times in our lives when we go looking for God. We may even demand or or expect God's presence. But often times doing so, in those moments, makes it more challenging to connect. Which is why I believe that it is in the moments when we least expect it, moments when we may be caught off guard or surprised, where God's presence can most strongly be felt. That is why it my hope and prayer for all of us that we not only see God in the moments when we come calling, but that we are open to seeing God, and feeling God's presence, wherever and whenever we may encounter it, at all times, all moments, and all places, in our lives.
Rabbi Josh Dorsch
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