Why does the Torah spend an entire chapter outlining all of the Israelites encampments in the desert (Numbers 33)?
Rashi, quoting the Midrash, suggests it illustrates God’s love for His people. “It can be compared to a king whose son was ill and whom he took to a distant place to cure. As…they returned, the king would recount to the lad all the experiences they went through… ‘here we slept, here we had a cool resting place, here you had a headache’” (Midrash Tanchuma). Just as a parent cares endlessly for a child, so did God lovingly carry His children through the most difficult moments in our travels through the desert.
Sforno sees the mentioning of these places as revealing the Jewish People’s love for God. In his words: “He [Moses, as per God’s instructions] wrote down…the details of their journeys, because it involved leaving for a new destination without any previous notice, which was very trying.” Similarly, Jeremiah recalls God’s expression of love for Israel, who, despite all odds, followed Him into the wilderness. In Jeremiah’s words: “I accounted to your favor the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride – how you followed Me into the wilderness, in a land not sown” (Jeremiah 2:2).
Considering that the Israelites were just days before entering Israel brings another approach to mind. When taking any major step in life, it is a good idea to carefully reevaluate one’s past. The listing of each resting place reminded the nation of these moments. It allowed for serious individual and national reflection and accountability. No doubt some of these places evoked memories of rebellion and even betrayal of God. Rather than avoid such memories, we should remember them with the goal of learning from those mistakes.
Also, bearing in mind that Am Yisrael was assuredly overwhelmed with enthusiasm, believing that the liberation of the Land of Israel would come in an instant, we needed to be reminded that accomplishments come in small steps, much like the Jews’ incremental travel through the desert.
Thus, the Torah elaborates for an entire chapter on our journey. It teaches invaluable lessons for life: the importance of self-reckoning, the importance of changing misfortune into fortune, and the importance of realizing that lasting improvement occurs gradually rather than instantaneously.
Candle lighting:
Matot-Masei parsha
August 2nd at 7:48 p.m.
