By Rabbi Leonard Rosenthal
SAN DIEGO–Parashat Mas’ei begins with a review of the journeys of the Israelites after the Exodus: “These were the marches of the Israelites who started out from Egypt . . . Their marches, by starting points, were as follows:” (Num. 33:1-4)
In the first half of Numbers 33:2 the Torah uses the phrase motzeihem l’maseihem, “their marches from the starting point,” and then reverses the order of the words at the end of the sentence to maseihem l’motzeihem, “the starting points of their marches.”
Biblical commentators (of course!) wanted to know why word ordered changed. Simcha Raz in Shivim Panim L’Torah proposes that the order of the words reflects two different points of view about history.
Motzeihem l’maseihem, “their marches from their starting point,” reflects Moses’ point of view. What was important for Moses was not the starting point but the journey. Moshe concentrated on the Israelites’ ultimate destination, Eretz Yisrael, the land of Israel. That is where he focused all of his attention. Where the Israelites began and where they stopped along the way was of secondary importance.
Moses had his heart and mind on the future. The entire reason for the Israelites’ desert sojourn was to prepare them to enter the Promised Land.
However, the escape from Egyptian slavery, the beginning of the journey, was the primary focus for the Israelites. Every step of the way they recalled how difficult life had been in Egypt and the hardship and suffering they endured. They were grateful to be free. The Israelites were not as concerned about their destination as they were thrilled to have escaped.
On first reading one is tempted to understand this interpretation as praising Moshe’s forward focus while disparaging the Israelites’ backwards view. Given the importance and centrality of Yetziat Mitzrayim, the escape from Egypt, in Judaism and Jewish history, this cannot be the case. Our remembrance of our years in bondage as well as our miraculous exit is not only the focus of the Passover seder and other celebrations, but is also recalled every Friday night during Kiddush: “[The Shabbat] is the first among our days of sacred assembly that recalls the Exodus from Egypt.”
Our experience in Egypt informs the Jewish psyche and translates to mitzvot that govern our relationships with those around us, be they friends or strangers: “You too must befriend the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.” (Deut. 10:19)
But at the same time Moses’ insistence on keeping his eye on the prize is also right. If one lives only in the past, one can become paralyzed. One has to have a destination to make any journey worthwhile.
As Jews we know both of these lessons well. Our roots anchor us in our God, Torah, and history but we also have a vision of a future as well, a future which includes all humankind. Our enslavement in Egypt has taught us to work toward the day when all people will be free. We acknowledge and learn from our past and dream of what is ahead.
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Rabbi Rosenthal is spiritual leader of Tifereth Israel Synagogue in San Diego. He may be contacted at leonard.rosenthal@sdjewishworld.com