When the Jewish people left Egypt, the Torah makes a striking statement: “And Hashem did not lead them through the land of the Pelishtim, for it was close” (Shemos 13:17).
There was, in fact, a direct path—along the Mediterranean coast—from Egypt to the Land of Israel. A stunning route, scenic and efficient. One could practically walk it in days. No map needed. Yet G-d deliberately avoided that route.
Why? The Torah says: “Because it was too close.”
What does “too close” mean?
The Midrash (Shemos Rabbah 20:16) fills in the background. At that time, the Land of Canaan was not ready for the Jewish people. The Canaanites, aware of the Jewish people's impending arrival, had destroyed the trees, leaving the land barren and unplantable. Amalek prepared ambushes, ready to annihilate them along the way. The bones of members of the tribe of Ephraim, who had prematurely left Egypt, still lay scattered across the route.
In other words, although it looked like the fastest, most logical route, it was the most dangerous. Likewise, the Land of Israel wasn’t yet spiritually or physically prepared for their arrival.
So why doesn’t Hashem just say that? Why not state clearly, “I didn’t take you that way because it would have destroyed you”? Instead, He simply says, “It was too close.”
It sounds almost like a euphemism. But it's more than that. It's a profound truth.
Think of a butterfly emerging from its cocoon. It struggles, fights, writhes its way out. If someone were to gently slice open the cocoon to make the process easier, thinking it would help, the butterfly would never survive. That struggle is what strengthens its wings. That difficulty is what makes it capable of flying.
“Because it was too close” means: sometimes the easy path is not the right path.
In our own lives, we often believe that when we face a choice between two paths—one difficult and one smooth—the hard one must mean something is wrong. We view challenges as detours from success. We view spiritual struggle as a sign that we are not enough. When temptation confronts us, we take it as proof that we aren’t truly holy. When we stumble, we assume G-d is disappointed in us. When we suffer or face hardship, we think we must be on the wrong path.
But G-d says: I had many reasons for not taking you straight into the Land of Israel. But the one I want you to remember is this: it was too easy.
The easy path often leads to mediocrity. The easy path can lead to fragility. It robs us of growth. But challenge? Challenge builds greatness. Struggle reveals essence.
If you find yourself on a path that doesn’t feel short, smooth, or simple—if you feel like you’re walking through a desert, wondering how long this will last—know this: you are not alone. You’re walking the same path that our ancestors walked for forty years. And Hashem is whispering, “Keep going. Just keep walking.”
While you're walking, He’s preparing the land. The soil is being fertilized. The enemies are weakening. The scattered bones are being gathered. And when the time is right—when you have become who you are meant to be—your promised land will be ready for you too.
So let us not pray for the easiest path. Let us instead lean into the struggle with courage and faith. Because the struggle itself may be the very thing preparing us for a future.
