Traveling in the Desert

The Alshich gave a description of how the Jewish people traveled in the desert. There were times when they stayed in a specific location for many years.

They were protected by the Clouds of Glory. When these clouds moved, it was time to prepare for the next journey. The moving clouds were also a sign of Hashem’s displeasure with His people, and how they needed to do Teshuva.

The trumpets blasted in order to get the camp organized to travel as dictated in the Torah. The “two” Holy Arks were also prepared.

One of these arks was carried by the Kehat Family. The other ark carried itself and miraculously cleared the path from snakes and scorpions, so that Am Yisrael could travel unscathed.

When Moshe witnessed the ark flying through midair, he saw it as an auspicious time to pray on behalf of his people. He asked that G-d’s glory be witnessed by the entire world. He further asked that Hashem’s enemies be scattered.

Rashi commented that the “enemies of G-d,” are the Jew haters of the world. Anyone who hates a Jew, hates the G-d of the Jewish people.

Moshe was always devoted to his people. He wanted Hashem to favor Israel with His good will towards them. The orderliness and the witnessing of the Hand of G-d, surely moved the people to repent.

Whatever caused the need to travel because of a need for Teshuva, was helped greatly by witnessing supernatural things, such as the Clouds of Glory, and the flying Aron Kodesh. This is why we explain that the Jews of the desert were elevated to a very high level.