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Why does the Torah (תורה) list all 42 stops in the wilderness if many brought suffering? The Midrash compares it to a king recounting a difficult journey with his sick son. Rabbi Zweig explains the son's "illness" was feeling unloved—seeing only a king, not a father—and the cure required the father taking years of the child's abuse to prove genuine love.
This shiur examines the opening of Parshas Masei, which lists the 42 journeys of the Jewish people in the wilderness. Rabbi Zweig addresses Rashi (רש"י)'s two explanations for why the Torah (תורה) records these travels, finding both interpretations difficult to understand as presented. Rashi's first explanation suggests the listing demonstrates God's kindness—that the Jews weren't constantly wandering for 40 years, since 14 journeys occurred before the decree and 8 after Aharon's death, leaving only 20 stops during the punishment period. Rabbi Zweig questions why the Torah would list all 42 if the purpose is to minimize the wandering.
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Parshas Masei 33:1
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