Masei 5771

This week's parsha begins with a recapitulation of the journeys of the Israelites in the desert wilderness. "These are the journeys of the Children of Israel, by which they went forth out of the Land of Egypt…" Forty-two times the parsha reiterates "and they journeyed…and they camped."

Why does Torah use the plural form of the word "journey" and then reiterate 42 seemingly separate journeys and encampments?

It took forty-two stages for the Israelites to get from Egypt to Israel, over a period of forty years. Each stage of the journey was determined exclusively by Divine decree—42 times, the cloud which hovered over the Jewish camp began to move on when they were required to relocate. Sforno explains that G-d wanted to record in Torah all of the stops and starts in the wilderness to demonstrate the Israelites' faith in G-d and their readiness to travel at His direction regardless of the difficulties, or their lack of understanding the route.

The Baal Shem Tov teaches that the forty-two stages from Egypt to the Promised Land are replayed in the life of each Jew, as our soul journeys from birth, to its return to its Source at death. Until we arrive at the ultimate goal, we are always in the process of leaving Egypt.

The Hebrew word for Egypt is Mitzrayim. Its root is tzar, which means "narrow" or "constricted" and it is related to the Hebrew word meitzar, which means "strait." Life is a succession of tight and narrow spots followed by relief and expansion. At every stage in our life's journeys, we face obstacles and tests. Through overcoming these difficulties and learning from their lessons, we become strengthened, and our awareness of G-d is expanded.

This parsha is always read during the three weeks of mourning that mark the tragic period of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem by Babylonians and Romans thousands of years ago (the 17^th day of the Hebrew month Tammuz, this year July 19), to the destruction of our Temples on Tisha B'Av (the ninth day of the Hebrew month Av, this year August 9.) This period also is known as bein ha-meitzar, which means "between the tragedies" or "between the straits or narrow confines."

As parents, when our journeys become difficult, when we are tested and challenged, especially when we face tragedy, we should remember that our journeys have a purpose. G-d directs us and leads us to an ultimate destination. In Torah (Exodus/Shemot 3:8), the Land of Israel is described as eretz tova u'rachava, a good and spacious land. The psalmist writes: "From the straits I call out to G-d and He answers me from the wide open spaces." (Psalms/Tehillim 118) Eventually, we all will arrive in the Land of Israel. Each of us will experience a personal redemption, and the entire Jewish nation also will be redeemed. May it be speedily in our days.