ויהי בנסוע הארון

The well known prayer, ויהי בנסוע הארון, recited when the Torah is taken out, is a focal point of פרשת בהעלותך. It is described as a Torah in itself, as it is surrounded by the letter “נ.”

It is a declaration by Moshe Rabbeinu of Hashem’s glory. He recited this when he saw the ark traveling. The Midrash says that in addition to the ark carried on the shoulders of the Kehat Family, there was a second ark. This one carried the broken pieces of the Ten Commandments, and it traveled on its own.

It served as a navigator for the Jews in the desert. It cleared their path from snakes and scorpions. When Moshe witnessed this, he called out for Hashem to rise higher, (קומה ה׳) and that all of G-d’s enemies should be scattered. Rashi tells us that anyone who hates a Jew, hates G-d. These are His enemies.

Once we see this glory and the enemies scattered, we will be able to see that the Torah will come from Zion, and His word from Jerusalem. Finally, the world will acknowledge this truth and Hashem’s greatness.

This is why this prayer is a declaration or Torah in itself,