Even the journeys that the Bnei Yisrael made through the wilderness contain profound spiritual lessons for our own lives
By: Yisrael Yitzchak Rosenfeld
The Mei HaShiloach of Izbica זצ״ל offers a profound insight into this week’s parashah:
What is the Jewish perspective on reality?
The Torah states:
“They journeyed from Mount Shepher and encamped at Haradah.”
The Mei HaShiloach זצ״ל explains:
“When a person does not know in which direction Hashem’s will is leading him—when he is uncertain what Hashem expects of him—it is advisable not to act.
This is the meaning of:
‘They encamped at Haradah.’
When a person trembles with uncertainty, it is time to encamp—to remain still and practice Shev v’Al Ta’aseh, that is, to refrain from acting.
Just as, in our own time, we have sworn not to force the End.”
(The Mei HaShiloach זצ״ל wrote these words approximately 150 years ago.)
He then continues:
“They journeyed from Haradah and encamped at Makhelot.”
“When Hashem desires to gather us together (Makhelot means ‘assemblies’ or ‘gatherings’), He will place holy courage into our hearts, and we will no longer tremble.
May this happen speedily in our days.”
What a profound prayer!
May we know when it is time to encamp and when it is time to journey onward.
May we no longer tremble at the return to Eretz Yisrael.
May we be gathered together as one people,
with one heart.
