THE SHALSHELET NOTE

The TROP (Torah singing musical notes) have much to teach us.
A shalshelet, a rare note, appears 4 times in the Torah. It means a chain. It is sung as a long drawn out note, usually up and down, three times. As a Baal Koreh, I sing it like the note Pazair, three times.

Our Rabbis suggest that when it appears, it signifies something similar is happening on each occasion and they teach us that it indicates hesitation.

The first time is in the story of Lot fleeing from the city of Sodom while it was being destroyed. He had been commanded not to look back, but to leave everything behind and just run for it. The shalshelet is written on the word "VAYITMAHMAH" (He hesitated) Beraishit:19:16. Lot knew that he had to go but it was still very difficult for him to leave all his possessions behind, so he hesitated.

The second time is in Chayyai Sarah (Beraishit:24:12) where it occurs on the word "VAYOMAR". Eliezer had been commanded by his master Avraham to go and find a wife from Avraham's family in Padan Aram. Eliezer went - but with another wish in his heart. He had a daughter himself who he hoped might become Isaac's wife. He really knew that this would never be the case. However, he still hoped but he hesitated.

The third time is in the story of Yosef. The wife of Potiphar tried to persuade him to be adulterous with her. Yosef, being a healthy young man, was momentarily tempted, as we can see from the fact that the shalshelet note appears on the word, "Va-y-ma-ain" (He refused) Beraishit:39:8, which implies that he hesitated. It is worth noting that Yosef is called the Tsaddik, righteous man, not because he was not tempted but because he was able to overcome his temptations.

The fourth occurrence of this note is in sidra Tsav (Vayikra 8:23),on the word "VAYISHCHAT" where the Torah is relating Moshe's preparations for the dedication of the Tabernacle. Our Rabbis tell us that, if Moshe had not argued with Hashem about taking on the responsibility to take the Israelites out of Egypt, then he would have been the Kohen Gadol. Instead, the honour was given to his brother, Aharon.
Moshe had to practise every procedure required for the service in the Tabernacle and then teach it to Aharon. He was thrilled that his brother held such an important office and he understood very well why it was denied to him.

The singing notes show that Moshe was human. With all his heart he was happy for Aharon, but, when passing on the full responsibility of this highest of offices to him, he too hesitated, perhaps imperceptibly, but, as the shalshelet reveals, he hesitated. MICHAEL PLASKOW, Netanya