RAV KOOK ON Tetzaveh Part 2: Moses and the Priestly Garments

Where was Moses? The commentaries noted an unusual fact about the Torah portion of Tetzaveh — it is the only parashah, from when we first read of Moses’ birth in the book of Exodus, in which Moses is not mentioned. The Ba’al HaTurim (Rabbi Jacob ben Asher, 1269-1343), explained that this was a consequence of Moses’ defense of the Jewish people after the Sin of the Golden Calf. At that precarious juncture, Moses pleaded with God to forgive the Israelites; and if not, then “please remove me from Your book that You have written” (Ex. 32:32). The Sages taught that ‘The curse of a sage comes true, even if it was contingent on a condition [and that condition was not met]’ (Makkot 11a). Thus, even though God did forgive the Jewish people, Moses’ vow was partially fulfilled, and his name was removed from the portion of Tetzaveh. The question arises: why was this parashah, which describes the special garments of the kohanim, chosen as the one in which Moses is not mentioned? Also, why was Moses punished for valiantly defending the Jewish people?