Masei

In this parsha

The Torah records the forty-two encampments of Israel's journey from Egypt through the wilderness. God then commands the conquest and apportionment of Canaan and defines its borders. Forty-eight cities are given to the Levites, including six cities of refuge where an unintentional killer may flee from the blood-avenger. The laws distinguishing murder from accidental killing are set out. Finally the daughters of Zelophehad are instructed to marry within their tribe so their inheritance stays in place, and the book of Numbers ends.

Themes

• The journeys as spiritual ascent
• Refining sparks through wandering
• Eretz Yisrael's hidden holiness
• Refuge through self-nullification
• Finding Hashem within distress
• Ascending level to level

Must-read teachings

1. 1Spiritual Journeys And BattlesOn the verse, "These are the journeys (of Bnei Yisrael)" (Bamidbar 33:1), the Torah writes "their goings out according to their journeys" and then "their journeys according to their goings out" (Bamidbar 33:2). The Sfas Emes opens on the do…תרמ"ה
2. 2Journeys Above NatureRegarding the journeys (masaos) that are recorded in the Torah, where it is written, "who went out from the land of Mitzrayim" (Bamidbar 33:1). The Sfas Emes opens on Parshas Masei, which lists the forty-two journeys of Bnei Yisrael, framed…תרמ"ט
3. 3Journeys That Rectify GenerationsIn the Midrash there is a teaching that the word "Nachis" is a notarikon (an acronym). The Sfas Emes opens by citing the Midrash that reads the word "Nachis" as an acronym hinting at a deeper meaning. The allusion is this: that these journe…תרמ"ז - תרמ"ח
4. 4Eretz Yisrael Spiritual RootRegarding the verse "This is the land that shall fall to you" (Bamidbar 34:2), the Midrash comments on the word "to you" — "it is fitting for you." The Sfas Emes opens with a verse about the land "falling" to Bnei Yisrael, and notes the Mid…תרמ"ד
5. 5Hidden Holiness Of Eretz YisraelOn the pasuk, "When you come into the land... this is the land that shall fall to you... as an inheritance... according to its borders" (Bamidbar 34:2). The Sfas Emes opens with the pasuk describing the dividing of Eretz Yisrael among Bnei …תר"נ
6. 6Eretz Yisrael Illuminating the NeshamahThe Midrash teaches on the verse "This is the land that shall fall to you" (Bamidbar 34:2): it is fitting for you, as the verse says "Portions have fallen to me in pleasant places" (Tehillim 16:6), and "Yes, my inheritance is beautiful to m…תרמ"ו
7. 7Finding Hashem Within DistressIn the Midrash: the great ones of the world fled, but I did not allow you to flee; therefore the Holy One, Blessed is He, told Moshe Rabbeinu to write down the journeys, and so on. The Midrash teaches that whereas others escaped danger by f…תרס"ד
8. 8Two Keys Of RedemptionIt is written, "The gate of the inner courtyard... on the day of Shabbos it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened" (Yechezkel 46:1). The Navi Yechezkel describes the inner gate of the future Beis HaMikdash, whic…תרנ"ט