From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
This week we read two Torah portion, Matot and Masei. The Torah portion of Masei begins, "These are the journeys...," enumerating the forty-two journeys of the Children of Israel, from leaving the Land of Egypt until reaching the Jordan near Jericho (Yarden Yericho). The Torah's wording, however, raises an obvious question. It took only one journey "from the Land of Egypt." Why then the plural form of "these are the journeys"?
The term Mitzrayim (Egypt) derives from the word meytzarim (restrictions; restraints). Mitzrayim, therefore, refers not only to a particular land but also to a condition of both physical and spiritual confinement.
The term "Yericho" derives from the word rei'ach (smell). It alludes to Moshiach of whom it is said, "veharicho (He will make him to be censed) with the fear of G-d..." (Isaiah 11:3). Thus, Moshiach is called "moir'ach veda'in-he is able to judge a person by merely 'smelling' him" (Sanhedrin 93b).
The 42 journeys, therefore, relate to 42 states of leaving Mitzrayim (personal or national restrictions and confinements), before we reach the true and ultimate freedom of Yericho, the Messianic redemption.
The exodus from the physical Egypt was indeed a liberation, but only relative to the previous slavery. In terms of our ultimate goal, it was not yet the true and full freedom. Every one of the 42 journeys represented and additional progression, a liberating ascent relative to the preceding state. In terms of the final and highest level to be achieved, however, it remained a form of Mitzrayim.
The term "journeys" (in plural form) thus teaches us that we must forever press on, progress and ascend, regardless of past achievements. We are, and remain in, Mitzrayim, of one form or another, until we reach Yarden Yericho-the freedom of Moshiach-speedily in our very own days.
Reprinted from the Mattos-Masei 5762/2002 edition of L’Chaim. Adapted from the works of the Lubavitcher Rebbe by Rabbi J. Immanuel Schochet in his book “Living with Moshiach.”
