This week’s Taste of Torah focuses on the final three verses of Exodus, which tell us something fascinating about how the ancient Israelites traveled through the desert. They didn’t just wander aimlessly – they followed a divine cloud. When the cloud lifted from the Tabernacle, they’d pack up and move. When it settled, they’d make camp.
What’s particularly interesting is that they had no control over this schedule. They couldn’t say, “Hey, this is a nice spot; let’s stay here longer,” or “Come on, let’s get moving already!” They had to synchronize their lives with a rhythm that wasn’t theirs.
This divine choreography holds a profound lesson for our own lives. Sometimes, we’re full of energy and momentum, ready to tackle new challenges and move forward. Other times, we need to stay put, reflect, and gather our strength. Both movement and stillness serve their purpose in our personal growth, even when we can’t see the bigger picture.
We face similar challenges in finding our own rhythm today. Life has a way of testing our natural inclinations. Sometimes, we hesitate when we should leap into action, making excuses to stay in our comfort zone when the opportunity beckons. Other times, we resist necessary pauses, filling our days with constant motion when wisdom calls for stillness.
In these moments, we can learn from the ancient Israelites’ trust in divine timing. Perhaps that long-delayed decision needs our immediate attention, or that relationship needs our active engagement rather than passive presence. Conversely, what feels like life slowing down might actually be an invitation to notice the depth and richness we missed while rushing. The children of Israel learned this lesson well – their journey was being guided with purpose, even when the timing didn’t make sense to them.
When we feel pressured to move while our inner wisdom says “stay,” or when we’re hesitating while something inside urges action, we can remember this ancient wisdom: both our periods of movement and our periods of rest are equally sacred, each serving its unique purpose in our journey.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi Yonatan Hambourger, y@tasteoftorah.org
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