Posted on 07/09/21
Parshas Massei begins by stating every single journey that the yidden took since they left Mitzrayim. We all know that the Torah is not a “history book”. As a minor illustration, most of Yitzchak Avinu’s life, as well as other seemingly important events in history, are barely discussed in the Torah.
Why did the Torah feel the need to list all 42 journeys in the desert at all? Furthermore, the places listed where they encamped weren’t even cities; they were in the barren desert. Does it really matter which area of sand or cactus the yidden camped by?
Every inconvenience in life is planned out and set up to take place at the exact moment that it does because Hashem determined that it is specifically what we need.
Most of the time we don't get to see the good in them, but sometimes Hashem does show us and we should use those times to give ourselves Chizuk. R’ Ashear quotes the Sefer Emunah Shelema who brings a story about a personal relative of his, a man from El'ad Israel, named Chaim, who was a wealthy businessman and father of 3:
The story took place during the week that Chaim was hosting a Friday night Sheva Berachos for his youngest sister in a local hall. That Thursday, Chaim’s wife had just closed a very large business deal and a lot of it was paid for in cash. Due to the work needed to prepare for the Sheva Brachos, Chaim wasn't going to have time to get to the bank before Shabbos, so he decided to keep the money in his bedroom until Monday, at which point he would deposit the large sum in the bank.
On erev Shabbos, Chaim went to the grocery store to buy some last minute items. When he got to the grocery store, he greeted the Arab worker as he had always done for years and walked to the owner of the store, a long-time friend of his. When the owner saw him, he shouted heartily "Mazal Tov! So nice that your sister got married!”. "Thank you”, responded Chaim. “We are making the Sheva Berachos tonight and we would love it if you could come”. "What time?", the owner asked. "We are starting at 6pm and it probably won't end until after 11:00pm." "That's way too late for me," the owner said, "I am too exhausted from the busy work week”. Meanwhile, little did Chaim know, but the Arab who worked there and who knew Chaim’s address well from deliveries that he had made to his apartment, was listening intently to their entire conversation.
That night, Chaim davened and headed to the hall for the Sheva Brachos. When he got there, his wife told him the news that nobody ever wants to hear: "You're not going to believe what happened! You forgot to unplug the stereo before Shabbos this week and our little Ruchama turned it on after Shabbos to the highest volume. It is literally blasting right now and it is going to be like that the whole Shabbos - I don’t know what we’re going to do”. The first thing that Chaim did was thank Hashem that they weren't eating home that night; Imagine having to eat the Shabbos meal with blasting music!
After taking a moment to gather himself, Chaim turned to his wife and said “Don't worry, we will figure it out later. Let's just enjoy the Sheva Berachos for now”.
The Sheva Brachos ended around midnight. On their way home, they heard the music blasting even though they were a solid block or two from their home. When they entered their apartment, Chaim realized the simple reality: there was no way that anybody was going to be able to sleep that night and he felt quite irritated. He tried to find an Arab to hint to, to shut it off, but at that late hour he couldn't find anyone. It was a very rough night and Chaim went to Shul the next morning with a sour face and filled with frustration.
Fast forward about one year. Chaim received a phone call from someone he was friendly with that worked at the police station. “Come down right away”, he was told. When he got there, Chaim saw that they had the Arab worker from the grocery store in custody. Chaim’s colleague explained to him that the police had caught this Arab stealing from a few houses, and over the course of their investigation and questioning, they discovered that he had tried to rob Chaim’s house as well! The Arab admitted that he had heard Chaim say that he would be out of his house for many hours on Friday night and he knew that Chaim was wealthy. The Arab & a friend of his came to Chaim’s house at 8:00pm, fully intending to break in, confident in the fact that Chaim & his family were certainly at the family Sheva Brachos. However, when they heard the blaring-loud music from inside, they got nervous that there must be a crowd of people inside having a party of some sort and they reluctantly decided to leave. The only thing that saved Chaim from being robbed was the music.
"'That's unbelievable!' Chaim exclaimed. “I still remember how frustrating those circumstances were, having the music blaring all night. Baruch Hashem, Hashem protected us. What I thought to be the biggest inconvenience turned out to be my greatest salvation!"
We don't know why we have to experience inconveniences. But we should always remind ourselves that each one is from Hashem for our good.
Sojourning in the desert for 40 years could not have been physically pleasant by any stretch of the imagination. Moreover, the actual encamping each night was uncomfortable, as Bnei Yisroel were never fully settled; Each and every night that they went to sleep, they did not know if they would be staying in that spot for years, or, if the next day the Clouds of Glory would move on and they were just staying for a single night. Furthermore, to them there was no rhyme or reason as to why they sometimes encamped in a spot for years and sometimes for just a single night; it seemed to be at random. Anyone who has ever lived out of a suitcase for an extended period of time, understands just how unsettling of an experience this could be.
By the Torah listing every single journey in the desert, despite the fact that more often than not, the Torah never listed any significant event that occurred there, the Torah is teaching us that although their specific sojournings may have seemed random, insignificant, uncomfortable, or without specific Divine Providence, they were very purposely planned by the Creator; Each and every stop was specific, meaningful, and important – even though it did not necessarily look that way - hence it is listed in the Torah. So important, in fact, that not a single one was left out.
Living Inspired
Have you ever felt that part of your day was meaningless or without Divine purpose? Have you ever faced something that was frustrating and felt like it was an obstacle to your goal? One can learn from this week’s parshah that life is not only about reaching one’s destination nor is it about living each day with the comforts that we decide are best. Rather, the hard work, set-backs and obstacles we encounter on a regular basis in life are Divinely orchestrated & important as well.
To signify this, consider the following: The Magen Avraham* in fact states that the reason why the yidden specifically had 42 journeys was to correspond to Hashem’s 42 letter name. This is supposed to teach us that each step they took, and every obstacle, was not just an unnecessary chore to accomplish their goal or an inconvenience, but rather was purposely guided by Hashem and meaningful.
Chazal teach us that, like the yidden in the desert, each Jew has his own personal 42 journeys, or stages, in life**. The next time that we are busy with what may feel like a meaningless or frustrating part of our journey, let us remind ourselves of this week’s parshah and remember that Hashem is purposely guiding our every step to accomplish true greatness. Every step that we take on life’s journey is packed with meaning and benefit, whether we realize it or not.
Gut Shabbos
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* - See also Tzror Hamor by R’ Avraham Saba (1440–1508)
** - The Ba’al Shem Tov has taught this. R’ Simcha Banim Burger (Rav in Monsey) has quoted it as well, in the name of others.