The Torah is quite repetitive in describing the manner that Klal Yisroel traveled. It could have been more simply stated that when the cloud arose they journeyed, and when it stopped they stopped, sometimes one day, sometimes several days.

The Siforno dwells on this point and it is very interesting to study his commentary:

"And in the place where the cloud abode, there the people of Israel pitched their tents." This possuk is coming to praise Klal Yisroel. Right from the beginning of their journey they followed the Cloud into the desert and camped where the Cloud dwelled, even though it was an absolute wilderness.

"And when the cloud remained long upon the Mishkan many days, then the people of Israel kept the charge of the Lord…" This is an additional expression of merit for Klal Yisroel. They waited in their camp for long periods of time even though the locale was extremely uncomfortable. "And journeyed not." They didn't go out hunting a better camping ground.

"And so it was, when the cloud was a few days upon the Mishkan;" This is a third point of praise. Sometimes their camp was in a very ideal spot for them and their flocks, and yet the Cloud stayed there only a short time. "…according to the commandment of the Lord they abode in their tents," They camped there according to the command of Hashem and not because of personal their desire to be in that area.

"and according to the commandment of the Lord they journeyed." And they journeyed from there even though it was an extremely comfortable camp site

"And so it was, when the cloud abode from evening to the morning." This is a fourth example of their virtue. Sometimes the time period was totally unpredictable. There were times when they camped only overnight, and didn't have enough time to properly prepare the camp site or to properly prepare to travel.

"And the cloud was taken up in the morning, then they journeyed; whether it was by day or by night that the cloud was taken up, they journeyed." The possuk tells us that they never started any journey at night.

"Or whether it was two days, or a month, or a year, that the cloud stayed upon the Mishkan , remaining on it, the people of Israel abode in their tents, and journeyed not; but when it was taken up, they journeyed." This is a fifth merit.

Sometimes they didn't have enough time to properly prepare the camp for their own or their flocks' needs. And sometimes as soon as they had finished preparing everything and getting settled in, the Cloud suddenly lifted and ended all their preparations.

"At the commandment of the Lord they rested in the tents." Even for a short amount of time which left no time for their preparations.

"And at the commandment of the Lord they journeyed." As soon as the Cloud lifted up, even though they had just finished arranging their camp.

This little section of the Torah is a classic lesson in how a Jew should follow his life. We often find ourselves in various situations: sometimes comfortable, and sometimes very uncomfortable. When things get comfortable, suddenly we get hit with adversity and our life is turned upside down. Sometimes it can be immediately, sometimes after many years. We may find ourselves in very uncomfortable situations that make absolutely no sense to us.

Our job is to look at life as our journey together with the Ribono Shel Olam through the wilderness. He is leading the way. Our job is to follow Him.

Gut Shabbos!

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© Rabbi Eliezer Parkoff
4 Panim Meirot, Jerusalem 94423 Israel
Tel: 732-858-1257
Rabbi Parkoff is author of "Chizuk!" and "Trust Me!" (Feldheim Publishers), and "Mission Possible!" (Israel Book Shop Lakewood).
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