Chedva Krengel
Shlicha in Melbourne
Click for PDF For translation to Spanish and Português
When we look at Parashat Masei, we notice something interesting. Right before Bnei Yisrael enter Eretz Yisrael, the Torah stops to list all forty-two journeys they traveled in the desert. At first, this seems unnecessary. After all, the purpose of all those journeys was to reach the Land of Israel. Now that they are standing at the edge of the Jordan River, preparing to enter the land, why go back and remember every stop along the way?
Perhaps the Torah is teaching us a very deep message: life itself is a journey.
Even when Bnei Yisrael finally arrive at the destination they have dreamed of for generations, the journey is not over. Entering Eretz Yisrael is not the end of the story—it is the beginning of a new chapter. There is always another level to reach, another challenge to overcome, and another step forward to take.
In some ways, the journeys in the desert were easier than the journeys inside Eretz Yisrael. In the desert, they traveled from one physical place to another. But in the Land of Israel, the journey becomes an inner one—a journey of building a nation, strengthening faith, and growing spiritually.
This idea is reflected in the forty-two journeys of Bnei Yisrael. Our sages explain that these forty-two journeys are connected to the hidden and holy Name of Hashem made of forty-two letters, a name that represents movement, elevation, and the ability to go from one stage to the next.
Later in the parasha, we find another appearance of the number forty-two—the forty-two cities of the Levi’im. Unlike the other tribes, the Levi’im did not receive a permanent portion of land. Their role was to be spread throughout the nation, teaching Torah and inspiring Am Yisrael. Their lack of a fixed place symbolizes the idea that spiritual growth always requires movement and renewal.
This is one of the great challenges of life. We often search for a moment where everything will finally be complete, where we can say, “I have arrived.” But the Torah reminds us that as long as we are alive, we are always moving forward. Every stage we reach is another step in a much greater journey.
Rabbi Chaim Yaakov Charlap teaches a beautiful idea: just as Am Yisrael can never remain in the same spiritual place and must constantly rise “from strength to strength,” so too Eretz Yisrael itself is always renewing. Every moment brings a new opportunity to discover a deeper connection, a new level, and a new light.
This message is especially meaningful for us as Jews living around the world. Whether we are in Eretz Yisrael or far away from it, we are all part of the same journey of Am Yisrael. Every mitzvah we do, every moment of Torah we learn, and every act of kindness we show moves us and the world one step closer to redemption.
May we have the strength to continue our personal and national journeys with faith, courage, and a constant desire to grow. May we continue revealing the light of Am Yisrael, Torat Yisrael, and Eretz Yisrael, and may we soon merit the fulfillment of the prayer: “Or chadash al Tzion ta’ir – may a new light shine upon Zion.”
Shabbat Shalom from Melbourne 😉
