July 15, 2023; 26 Tamuz, 5783
Parsha
In Parshas Massai we read about the journeys of Bnei Yisrael in the Midbar (dessert). It begins with the words, “These are the journeys of the children of Israel who left the land of Egypt in their legions, under the charge of Moshe and Aharon.” (Bamidbar 33:1)
Later in the Parsha, we read about the following journey: “They journeyed from Dibon Gad and camped in Almon Divlasaimah.” (Bamidbar 33:46)
The word “Almon” means “deprived” and the word “Divlasaimah” means “dates”. The Targum Yonasan explains that the name of this town hints at the fact that Bnei Yisrael were “deprived” of the well of Miriam (where they received water in the dessert from), because they left the Torah which is as sweet as the honey of “dates”...