Moses Erased: Why does Moses tell God to blot his name from the Torah?

Moses’s name is mentioned in every portion of the Torah from the time of his birth except for this week’s parsha, Tetzaveh. The Sages explain that this absence is the result of Moses’ plea to God after the sin of the golden calf. God had threatened to destroy the entire people and create a new nation from Moses’ descendants alone, but Moses responded that if the people were not to be spared, God should kill him as well and blot his name from the book of the Torah altogether.

On a simple level, it is explained that the words of a tzadik such as Moses have profound effects on the world, so even though God was merciful with the people, Moses’ vow was effectuated in some small measure – his name was blotted from one of the Torah’s portions, parsha Tetzaveh.

Chassidus explains the absence of Moses’ name from this parsha on a deeper level, however. While his name is not mentioned, Moses is profoundly present in this chapter as God addresses him repeatedly by the pronoun “you.” For example, the opening verse reads “Veattah tetzaveh es b’nei yisrael/And YOU shall command the people of Israel…”.

The Chassidic masters teach that a name is an external representation of a person, and not a true expression of his essence. By addressing Moses as “you” rather than utilizing his name, God addresses a level of Moses’ essence that is inexpressible and un-nameable. It was precisely through his act of love and self-sacrifice for his fellows that Moses was able to achieve such a sublime level. The absence of his name is thus not a punishment, but rather a tremendous reward.

Many believe that glory, honor, and success are to be achieved through acts of personal prowess and self-promotion. Moses teaches us that the opposite is the case. It is by putting one’s self-interest aside and focusing on the benefit and well-being of others that one achieves her/his ultimate potential. Our goal is not to “make a name for oneself,” but to express our un-nameable essence by overcoming our ego and pursuing the revelation of the unity that includes us all.

— Pnei Hashem is an introduction to the deepest depths of the human experience based on the esoteric teachings of Torah.  www.pneihashem.com