* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Are you feeling “stuck” or that you are standing in place, especially now during the complicated days of this war? You might be feeling this way because of thewar with Iran, but of course there could be other reasons, too, since everyone goes through periods like this in life. Parashat Vayakhel-Pekudei, which concludes the Book of Shemot, addresses this issue:
The final verse of the Book of Shemot describes the journeys of the people in the desert, and Rashti comments: “The place of their encampment is also called a journey.” This is a powerful life lesson: the Children of Israel were on a journey not only when they were moving forward, but also when they stood in place. Even when God told them to stop and wait, this too was considered part of their journey, and they were still making headway. Our commentators explain that it is precisely from these stops along the way that the people gained strength to move ahead.
So, if you’re feeling that you are staying put while everyone around you is getting married, advancing in their careers, or accomplishing their goals, the Torah reminds that you are not wasting your time. Even these periods of pause play a significant role in the overall plan and your life journey, because during these times you are still continuing to develop, learn, and make progress— only in a more concealed way.
It is especially important during these challenging days to remind ourselves that “the place of their encampment is also called a journey.”
I wish you much success in all your journeys and in your stops along the way.
