42 letters . . . Also, it appears that these journeys were recorded here in the name of Hashem to instill in us a deep belief and confidence in the future geulah. Concerning the travails we endure in galus, we should rest assured that Hashem sees and watches all of our exiles and especially this difficult fourth one. He recorded these journeys to promise us beyond a shadow of a doubt that even though we will endure much suffering, He will sustain us and redeem us from this galus. It will be just like “yetzias Mitzrayim,” where they suffered backbreaking labor for many years; yet, Hashem sent them saviors to rescue them from their suffering.
Therefore, He began by saying: “These are the journeys of Bnei Yisrael who departed Eretz Mitzrayim led by Moshe and Aharon” . . . This hints at the fact that even though they did not deserve to leave Mitzrayim based on their own deeds, they were redeemed by Moshe and Aharon and in their merit. The same will hold true with the future geulos—He will send them a savior and mentor to save them. In particular, the fourth geulah will be led by two mashiachs—Mashiach ben Yosef and Mashiach ben David.
This then is the encouraging message HKB”H is conveying to us at the beginning of our parsha: "א'לה מ'סעי ב'ני י'שראל". The first letters of these four words are an acronym for the four galuyos: א'דום מ'די ב'בל י'ון. They are only “journeys of Bnei Yisrael,” from which they will be released and liberated. The proof of this is: "אשר יצאו מארץ מצרים"—the exodus from Egypt which encompassed all four galuyos. Thus, all the more so that HKB”H will redeem us and liberate us from each individual galus.
"ויכתוב משה את מוצאיהם למסעיהם על פי ה'"—Moshe recorded that they departed Mitzrayim guided by the four letters of Havaya that the klipah of Mitzrayim opposed. The text concludes: "ואלה מסעיהם למוצאיהם"—informing us and emphasizing that these 42 journeys were in preparation for their going out of all four galuyos—swiftly, in our times! Amen.
