Daily Chumash Behalosecha Wednesday: The order of traveling in the desert

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Revi’i

  1. The order of traveling in the desert:
  • On the day the Mishkan was erected the cloud covered it. At night, a fire appeared on the Mishkan until the morning. The Jewish people would travel upon the cloud ascending from the Ohel, and they would encamp in the area where the cloud would settle. At times they remained encamped for many days and at times for only one day. They traveled and encamped according to the word of G-d.
  1. Blowing the trumpets:
  • Hashem spoke to Moshe saying that he should make two trumpets of pure silver to be used to gather the congregation, and to announce the time to travel.
  • Signal for gathering: If you blow a Tekia using both of them, this is a sign for the congregation to gather by the entrance of the Ohel Moed. If you blow [a Tekia using] one trumpet, this is a sign for the tribal leaders to gather.
  • Signal for traveling: If you blow a Teruah, short blasts, it is a sign for traveling. By the first Teruah, the eastern camp is to travel. By the second Teruah, the southern camp is to travel. The trumpets are to be blown by the Kohanim.
  • Signal for G-d during war: During war against your enemies, a Teruah should be blown from the trumpets and Hashem will remember you and save you from your enemies.
  • During Holidays: On days of joy and holidays and Rosh Chodesh you shall blow the Shofar during the sacrifices and it will be a remembrance for you before Hashem.

Q&A from Rashi

Q: What is the significance of הַמִּשְׁכָּן לְאֹהֶל הָֽעֵדֻת?

A: This phrase highlights the Tabernacle’s purpose as a dwelling for the Tablets of the Testimony.

Q: What does הֵֽעָלוֹת הֶֽעָנָן (“the cloud moved away”) describe?

A: It signifies the movement of the cloud, indicating when the Israelites should prepare to travel, as translated by Onkelos.

Q: How did the Israelites know when to move or make camp?

A: They followed the cloud’s position. Its movement signaled travel, while its stationary presence indicated encampment. Moshe also played a role in initiating these actions through specific proclamations.

Q: What role did trumpets serve?

A: Trumpets were used for various ceremonial functions, including summoning the community, calling the princes, and signaling the departure of divisions.

Q: What is meant by עֲשֵׂה לְךָ (“Make yourself”) in relation to the trumpets?

A: This directive implies that Moshe was to personally oversee the creation of the trumpets, ensuring their exclusive use for divine purposes.

Q: What was the purpose of blowing the trumpets during sacrifices?

A: They were blown over communal offerings to signify divine remembrance and sovereignty, emphasizing the spiritual connection during celebrations and key moments.

Q: How were different groups summoned using the trumpets?

A: A teki’ah (long blast) on both trumpets summoned the community, while a teki’ah on one trumpet called the princes. For departure signals, a sequence of teki’ah, teru’ah (short blasts), and another teki’ah was used.

Q: Who was responsible for blowing the trumpets?

A: Only the descendants of Aaron, the priests, were tasked with blowing the trumpets during these occasions.

Q: What does “I am God, your God” add to the context of trumpet use?

A: It underscores the importance of acknowledging divine sovereignty during all moments of remembrance, including celebrations and sacrificial rituals.

 

About The Author

Rabbi Yaakov Goldstein is a 6th generation descendent of the famous Chief Rabbi of Izhmir, Rav Yehoshua Avraham Krispin, who authored a number of Sefarim, and was a colleague of Rav Chaim Falagi, and father in-law of the Pesach Hadvir. He currently lives with his wife Shayna, and twelve children K”H, in Tzfas, Israel. Rabbi Goldstein received Semicha from Rabbi Schneur Zalman Labkowski of the Tomchei Temimim headquarters in 2005 and served as a chaplain in the Lotar/Kalatz and K9 unit of the IDF from years 2005-2008. He is also a certified Shochet, and has performed Hashgacha work in slaughterhouses. Rabbi Goldstein is the director of Shulchanaruchharav.com, the world’s leading web-based Halacha database, and is the director of the Home Study Semicha Program, a self-study web-based Semicha program. He is a prolific author of over 50 Sefarim studied by a wide range of readers throughout the world, which is used regularly in Semicha programs around the globe. He is a world renowned Posek, answering questions to a web-based market, and serves as a local Posek, Rav, and Lecturer, in the Tzemach Tzedek community Shul in Tzefas, Israel. His many classes can be heard both from his website, Vimeo and YouTube channel. Students can join live to classes given in the Tzemach Tzedek Shul, through the “בית חבד צפת Chabad Tsfat” YouTube channel.

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