אֵ֜לֶּה מַסְעֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָצְא֛וּ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֖ה וְאַהֲרֹֽן׃
These were the marches of the Israelites who started out from the land of Egypt, troop by troop, in the charge of Moses and Aaron.
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־מוֹצָאֵיהֶ֛ם לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאֵ֥לֶּה מַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם לְמוֹצָאֵיהֶֽם׃
Moses recorded the starting points of their various marches as directed by יהוה. Their marches, by starting points, were as follows: (Numbers 33:1-2)
Many readers of this text wonder about the repetition and reversal of order in verse 2.
The Shem Mishmuel offers a creative and inspirational solution.
Homilietically, he notes that the marches (travels) that are cited to in these verses refer to struggle with one’s Yeitzer Hara - evil inclination - the part of us that struggles to do the right thing.
Eventually one is able to (hopefully) overcome those struggles and come to a new “starting point”, a place where one can rest from the exertion of trying to do the right thing. In his words:
והם בכח קדושתם ותורתם ועבודתם התגברו על צד הרע בפרט אחד
“With the help of their sanctity, their Torah and their dedication, they overcame their inclination regarding one detail.”
However, that resting spot is not the goal. Once one achieves that first victory, the moments of rest are meant to be used to build the inner strength in order to overcome the next spiritual challenge and then to start the march all over again.
This explains the redundancy and the reversal of order. At first there is an engagement with one’s Yeetzer Hara (a march) which is hopefully overcome (reaching a new “starting point”). Once at that new “starting point”, there is time to gather one’s spiritual strength to get ready for the next challenge - the next “march.
According to the Shem MiShmuel, verse 2 depicts the spiritual life of a person, struggles and victories followed by the same pattern again.
I always find it meaningful when Torah leaders relate to and offer advice regarding one’s spiritual life. This particular approach also highlights that each struggle is different and may require different strategies.
This idea also reminds us that life can sometimes be a “grind” and we feel that even as we achieve in one area, we are challenged in another. However, by putting one foot in front of the other, we are able to get to the next starting point.
The Shem Mishmnuel also teaches that Shabbat is the symbol of this cycle. The week’s work exemplifies the “marches” of our life - the hard work and the struggles. Then Shabbat comes along - a day of rest - a new “starting point. Shabbat is the time to gather our spiritual strength needed for the next week.
Coming together on Shabbat for soulful Teffila, Torah learning and community are the ways in which Shabbat can serve as the fortifier for the week ahead.
As we consider our own spiritual journey, remember that they will likely be made up of challenges, successes, more challenges…and so on. We also are reminded that sharing shabbat together (with others who share our aspirations, struggles and hopes) can give us the fuel towards great spiritual growth and the growth of our supportive and thoughtful community.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Gelman
These were the marches of the Israelites who started out from the land of Egypt, troop by troop, in the charge of Moses and Aaron.
וַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־מוֹצָאֵיהֶ֛ם לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאֵ֥לֶּה מַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם לְמוֹצָאֵיהֶֽם׃
Moses recorded the starting points of their various marches as directed by יהוה. Their marches, by starting points, were as follows: (Numbers 33:1-2)
Many readers of this text wonder about the repetition and reversal of order in verse 2.
The Shem Mishmuel offers a creative and inspirational solution.
Homilietically, he notes that the marches (travels) that are cited to in these verses refer to struggle with one’s Yeitzer Hara - evil inclination - the part of us that struggles to do the right thing.
Eventually one is able to (hopefully) overcome those struggles and come to a new “starting point”, a place where one can rest from the exertion of trying to do the right thing. In his words:
והם בכח קדושתם ותורתם ועבודתם התגברו על צד הרע בפרט אחד
“With the help of their sanctity, their Torah and their dedication, they overcame their inclination regarding one detail.”
However, that resting spot is not the goal. Once one achieves that first victory, the moments of rest are meant to be used to build the inner strength in order to overcome the next spiritual challenge and then to start the march all over again.
This explains the redundancy and the reversal of order. At first there is an engagement with one’s Yeetzer Hara (a march) which is hopefully overcome (reaching a new “starting point”). Once at that new “starting point”, there is time to gather one’s spiritual strength to get ready for the next challenge - the next “march.
According to the Shem MiShmuel, verse 2 depicts the spiritual life of a person, struggles and victories followed by the same pattern again.
I always find it meaningful when Torah leaders relate to and offer advice regarding one’s spiritual life. This particular approach also highlights that each struggle is different and may require different strategies.
This idea also reminds us that life can sometimes be a “grind” and we feel that even as we achieve in one area, we are challenged in another. However, by putting one foot in front of the other, we are able to get to the next starting point.
The Shem Mishmnuel also teaches that Shabbat is the symbol of this cycle. The week’s work exemplifies the “marches” of our life - the hard work and the struggles. Then Shabbat comes along - a day of rest - a new “starting point. Shabbat is the time to gather our spiritual strength needed for the next week.
Coming together on Shabbat for soulful Teffila, Torah learning and community are the ways in which Shabbat can serve as the fortifier for the week ahead.
As we consider our own spiritual journey, remember that they will likely be made up of challenges, successes, more challenges…and so on. We also are reminded that sharing shabbat together (with others who share our aspirations, struggles and hopes) can give us the fuel towards great spiritual growth and the growth of our supportive and thoughtful community.
Shabbat Shalom.
Rabbi Gelman