Observant Jews as Ambassadors

This week we begin the Book of ויקרא, that deals mainly with the laws connected to sacrifices and the Kohanim. It also teaches a great deal about proper ethical behavior.

The Parsha begins with the words, “ויקרא אל משה,” that Hashem called to Moshe. This was teaching a simple rule about proper manners. Even though Moshe spoke to Hashem פנים אל פנים, face to face, he waited until he was called. He was showing that we always must behave courteously and respectfully.

This is especially true of the תלמיד חכם, the Torah scholar, who must be particularly careful to possess exemplary manners. The Midrash makes a strong statement by saying that a Talmid Chacham who does not act respectfully, is worse than a נבילה, a carcass of an animal.

The נבילה leaves a bad odor, and people are repulsed by the scholar who shows bad character. Rabbi Twerski adds that observant Jews, in particular, must realize that we are ambassadors of Torah. We must be so careful to act in a proper way, so that we will gain the respect of the secular world. If we succeed, it is a great Kiddush Hashem. If we do not, we are like the repulsive תלמיד חכם, and are no better than a נבילה.