Expanded Itineraries

Leann Shamash
18 hours ago
4 min read

Updated: 1 minute ago

#Matot #parshatmatot #Masai #parshatMasai #combinedparshahs #doubleparsha #thethreeweeks #threeweeks #tamuz #itinerary #itineraries #cruise #vacations #fortyyearsinthedesert #seferbamidbar #bookofnumbers #numbers #schedules #unexpected

About Last Week: Parshat Pinchas

Last week was the first week that I didn't post in Words Have Wings in a very long time. It was an uncomfortable place for me, as it is my custom to record thoughts each week. With apologies to Parshat Pinchas, I present a few things I thought about last week as we traveled outside of the United States.

I thought a lot about being part of an organized trip, where you are catered to and people plan your moves versus traveling on your own and how easily lost one can be! Perhaps this is the magic of traveling on your own, but it can also be the complete clumsiness of self directed travel. I wondered how this affected the Israelites, who went from a nation of slaves to being led through a desert shepherded by a very human leader, in Moshe, but also in the presence of the fire by night and the cloud by day.
These people always had a leader, but despite strong and even divine leadership, they still were unable to hold themselves together.
I thought about the Daughters of Tzelophchad and the democratic process. It was a a lovely coincidence that they appeared in Parshat Pinchas on the 250th anniversary of the United States so we could admire their bravery and determination as women when they appealed to Moshe for land ownership as women. How they differed from Pinchas! Three cheers (actually, 5 cheers) for the Daughters of Tzelophchad!!!

About This Week: Combined Parshiyot of Matot and Masei

As part of this combined Torah portion of Matot and Masei, we read about the many stops the Hebrews made as they crossed the desert. As a traveler who just returned from a planned trip with many stops on the itinerary, I began to think about the Hebrews' trek. It feels like an itinerary that went wrong at a certain point. What was supposed to be a journey of just a few weeks became a generation-defining journey of many years.

Let's call this post "Expanded Itineraries." (Look here for the actual stops presented in Parshat Masei.)

This week, we are completing the fascinating Book of Numbers, which is filled with significant events as the people journeyed and bided their time. Next week, as we begin Sefer Devarim, we will be ready for the teachings of Moshe and a review of the journey.

Shabbat Shalom,

Leann

Expanded Itineraries

Itineraries are neatly printed on folded paper

or a glowing screen,

boldfaced,

typeset prim, proper,

checked for accuracy

for the customer's comfort

and high expectations.

Itineraries,

planned by the best planners,

as though

organized in the heavens.

And so it goes.

The precise hour to catch the bus,

meet at this location,

at the station,

on the plaza,

by the person holding the red umbrella;

high above her head it flies,

like a signal fire.

Times recorded, ordered with

precision

Exactement...

בדיוק

All the best made plans

must

be recorded,

if not forever,

then at least for the next ten days,

or maybe forty or so years.

The Rules

Itineraries demand, (or gently, but firmly imply),

You follow The Guide.

Be on time.

Don't forget to wear a smile before you go.

No grumpiness allowed,

for there are norms, you know.

Follow the leader,

or a cloud or a pillar of fire

or a weary man carrying a staff.

Catch a glimpse of this,

drive by that.

Grow.

Each moment is important

culturally, spiritually

as you follow The Guide

step by step.

Contingencies

When itineraries are written

do The Planners plan for

the unexpected?

After all, you can never trust

The Weather,

Extenuating Circumstances,

perhaps a lengthy list of other nasty surprises?

Itineraries rarely turn out exactly as planned.

Some variables even the Best Planner could not predict,

so you make the best of the surprises,

good or bad.

Look down at the schedule,

look up at the leader.

Carry on!

Walk in the shoes of others

and when the trip is finished

tuck that itinerary safely away

in a special drawer

or perhaps an ornate cabinet

because

you never know when you will take

That Journey again.

Maybe next week or maybe just about a year from now

and you will want to remember the lessons learned along the way.

Perhaps itineraries are more than they seem?

In any case,

safe travels, friends.

Expect the unexpected.

May the wind be at your back.

Ai Generated Map of the Stations- The Unexpected Itinerary of the Israelites

Expanded Itineraries

About Last Week: Parshat Pinchas

About This Week: Combined Parshiyot of Matot and Masei

Expanded Itineraries

Other Posts in Words Have Wings on the Parshiyot of Matot and Masai

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