On the surface, v’atah, and you, is an unusual formulation for Hashem to use to command Moshe. Usually, He calls him by his name, Moshe, followed by tzav, command; or dabeir, speak. Noticeably, the Torah does not mention Moshe Rabbeinu’s name in the entire parshah. His missing name is the subject of much exegesis. The Be’er Mayim Chaim posits that v’atah, is a higher level of communication, reflecting a closer relationship with the Almighty than what is represented by calling Moshe by his name. Horav Moshe Shmuel Shapiro, zl (Be’er Yaakov), explains that when Hashem speaks to Moshe on the level of v’atah, it is “as if” the two were on the same plane speaking with one another. Speaking to someone in the second person, rather than by name, reflects greater affinity and parity. The Rosh Yeshivah cites the Gaon m’Vilna’s commentary to the siddur in which he explains, Baruch Atah Hashem, Blessed are You Hashem, a phrase which represents Hashem’s “humility” in allowing Himself to be on “equal” keel with us when we pray/recite a blessing. Hashem wants this, and if I may add, we should sense it and act accordingly. We should feel that we are facing the Almighty and talking directly to Him. This is both an extraordinary honor and a distinction, and it is frightening. Talking directly to Hashem is an awesome feeling; being able to express our innermost feelings to Him is unparalleled. It is also daunting, leaving us with no room for error.
The Rosh Yeshivah adds that only through Torah study can one achieve such a level of closeness/kinship with Hashem. When one devotes himself to plumbing the depths of Hashem’s Torah, he is simultaneously developing and enhancing his relationship with the Almighty.
