Parashat Masei 5768

In this week’s Torah Portion, Parashat Ma’asei, we are treated to a recap of the Israelites’ experiences in the desert. The text details their journey, from exodus to the plains of Moab. Interestingly, though, the text includes few details of narrative; rather, it focuses on a long list of places at which the Israelites stopped and camped, before moving on. Ma’asei is the last portion in the Book of Numbers and, in reading it, one naturally wonders: Why would the Torah recap the Israelites’ journey at this point? For weeks and weeks, we have heard in detail the story of the Israelites’ journey. Why does it need to be reiterated here?

One answer is that the Torah is employing a tried and true pedagogic method. It is always helpful to review the main points of a lesson as it draws to an end. Doing so helps learners sort through the material presented and gives them an opportunity to internalize critical ideas. Which leads us to the question: Why, in this reiteration, are the details left out and only the locations listed?

In reading Numbers 33, I am struck by a concept that is often discussed in Gender Studies circles, the idea of taking up space in the world. There are some groups, women for example, who have not always been given equal access to certain space in the world. Because of this, individual women often have had to learn not only how to take up space in the world, but also discover what space in the world they would like to take up.

On an individual level, it can be interesting to consider your own experiences: What space in the world do you take up? (e.g. do you take up space as a parent, as a child, as a trouble maker, as a nurturer, as an artist, as an adventurer? etc.) What space in the world would you like to take up? Is it easy for you to occupy space? Is it a challenge? How have spaces you occupy changed with time?

I believe that this week’s Torah portion challenges future generations, the descendents of the Israelite wanderers, to consider the space we will take up in the world. The long list of places in this week’s parashah reminds us that individual Israelites did not experience the desert journey (like much of life) as a linear path from slavery to freedom. Rather, as we read Ma’asei, we can imagine the story of any one of our ancestors. We can imagine their struggle to learn how to take up space in the world, for only free people have this privilege. As they wandered, our ancestors learned to take up space as believers and as doubters, as rebels and as helpers, as nurtures and as fighters, as complainers and praisers. As they went from place to place, the space they took up shifted, as well.

On this Shabbat, we are reminded that we too are wanderers. Like our ancestors, our journey is never linear. As we go from place to place (physical, emotional, and spiritual), the space we take up shifts, as well. Before heading into the Promised Land, our ancestors needed to be reminded of the space they had taken up, the space they were taking up, and the space they still yet could take up in the world. On this Shabbat, let us remember that we too stand on the Plains of Moab, looking into the Promised Land. And, let us remember that it is only when we seek to become aware of who we are, how we are, and where we are that we will become true agents of our own journey into Israel.