Torah Talk for Parashat Beha’alotecha
June 6, 2017 by
In this parasha, the Bnei Yisrael receive instructions regarding Pesach; they journey forth from Sinai and complain to God on several occasions, provoking God’s anger; Miriam and Aaron speak against Moshe.
The text describes the cloud which covered the mishkan (Tabernacle) by day and the appearance of fire which covered it by night. It also describes how, when the cloud moved, the Bnei Yisrael picked up and moved their encampment.
Seder Olam Rabbah, a traditional source from the 2nd century CE, tells us that the Bnei Yisrael camped at a place called Kadesh Barnea for 38 years, and the travels outlined at the end of Bemidbar in Parashat Masei occurred during the first year and the last two years of their wanderings in the wilderness. Why, then, are we always told that the Bnei Yisrael wandered for forty years? Read more >
