VOLUME 119 NUMBER 10
Adar 24, 5786
March 13, 2026
Parshas Vayakhel-Pekudei
Candlelighting Time 6:47
We know that the nation traveled under the guidance of the special clouds that surrounded it. They were not allowed to go forward unless they were directed so by Hashem through the clouds. The Torah further states that if the clouds did not begin their preparatory formation to leave, then the people did not prepare to leave either. That we followed the clouds’ direction is clearly stated at the very end of sefer Shemos. Immediately following that dictum, the Torah then expresses that if the clouds do not move or prepare to do so, then the camp remained stationary in its place. This added declaration seems rather obvious and therefore redundant.
The Netziv has a startling understanding of this verse. He explains that the structure of the verse could have intimated that once the clouds began to spiral upwards that would have been a sign for the nation to begin packing up to ready themselves for travel. And once they were prepared then even if the clouds did not move forward, they would have been permitted to continue their trek in the desert. Therefore, the verse concludes with wording indicative that until the clouds actually move, they were not permitted to do so. This interpretation is quite novel and I did not find another commentator that focuses on this verse.
It is noteworthy to question according to the Netziv why was the verse written in such a manner that could be misleading and needed to be rectified? Was there no other way to word that verse that would not have been confusing at all? And, of course, we need to focus on the original question which is why was the entire verse necessary? Perhaps the answer to one question will guide us to resolve the other one as well.
Upon further understanding the explanation of the Netziv we are lead to a very profound appreciation of the relationship between Hashem and perhaps the generation that received the Torah while they travelled in the desert. Of course, we must always follow Hashem’s instructions to the utmost, however, perhaps Hashem ‘wants’ that we should take a prompt from His guidance. After all, the most productive approach in serving Hashem is when we perform the mitzvos on are own volition and not be impelled to do so. The travelling in the desert could be a prime example of that theme. It is well known the statement of the Sages that following the clouds in their journey in the desert fulfilled the dictum that we must always follow Hashem. Nachmonides elucidates that assertion to mean that even though sometimes conforming to the travel protocol could be very uncomfortable and not enjoyable at all. Sometimes they would travel and then camp but for only a very short time. Then they had to again prepare for the next leg of their sojourn in the desert. This ongoing discomfort was to prime the nation in their strive for excellence in serving Hashem. Sometimes it may be inconvenient to do a mitzvah yet we are charged with our mission to adhere to the mitzvas despite that it might be somewhat not enjoyable. The payback is that when we serve Hashem, we elevate ourselves and reach new levels in our relationship with Hashem. That was the training and directive that we received in following the clouds in the desert.
And for this reason, the Torah allows us to have seemingly control of how we serve Hashem. Because, in the final analysis it is up to each and every individual to conform to the Torah’s themes although they appear to be difficult. Therefore, the Torah allows us to think that perhaps we can ‘move’ on our own but that is only within the context of the mitzvos.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
GOOD SHABBOS
