Journey Forth

weekly Torah reading: parasha Mattos-Masei 5783

“These are the journeys of the Children of Israel, which went forth out of Egypt.” – Numbers 33:1

The forty-two journeys of the Children of Israel, “their goings out according to their journeys by the commandment of H’Shem,” were seen from the perspective of G-d, each one as a significant journey of progress, according to His plan (R’ Hirsch). Each time they set out on a journey to the next encampment, there was no room for regret, if they accomplished, learned, and advanced in character development, according to G-d’s will.

However, even if they failed, they had the opportunity to return to H’Shem through teshuvah (repentance). Therefore, there was still no cause to regret a missed opportunity, as long as they would be focused on a “godly sorrow,” that would bring them to a place of acknowledgment in regard to their transgressions, as well as learning from their mistakes.

Yet, a sorrow in the form of yearning for the past, for the so-called comforts of Egypt (Numbers 11:5-6), or provisions other than the manna and water that H’Shem provided in the desert, led to complaint and rebellion; this was tantamount to turning away from their divinely inspired goal of entering the Promised Land as a people separated from the nations, in order to serve H’Shem. And, He really had their best interests in mind, despite the challenges that the people had encountered along the journey.

H’Shem still has our own best interests in mind today. He has not forgotten the Jewish people. The re-establishment of Israel in 1948 confirms this; as does His Presence with us in the diaspora. Our individual paths are designed by H’Shem to guide us through the challenges of life. Once we learn the lesson, we may move on to the next place or situation, until our souls have sufficiently been refined in order to gain entrance into the ultimate Promised Land: Olam Haba (the World-to-Come).