Mattot/Mase'ei (Num 30:2-36:13)

Not About How Fast You Get There

            The final parasha of Sifre Bamidbar is a combination of parashat Mattot and Mase’ei. The Israelites have still not reached the Promised Land, but are still planning their society, specifically cities of refuge. These were places for one who broke a law and were to be exiled. But my focus is translation. Bamidbar translates as “in the wilderness” and Mase’ei, the last parasha, translates as “journeys” or “marches.” This book begins and ends in travels.

            The same goes for our lives. We are constantly in motion. The important thing is to remember that when we are going for goals and aspirations, sometimes the journey is the destination.