We are on our way to complete the Book of Exodus with the double parasha of Va’yakhel-P’kudei describing the realization of the plans laid out weeks ago for building the Mishkan, the sanctuary that accompanied the Jews throughout their travels. A colleague of mine shared the literary observation that if we look at the last word of each book of the Bible, it will give us a hint as to what’s contained in the next book. For example, if we look at the end of the book of Genesis, the last word is Mitzrayim-Egypt, and sure enough, with a twist of the Torah scroll to Exodus, we find ourselves in the land of Egypt.

Let’s look at the end of Va’yakhel-P’kudei. The last words are “b’chol mas’ayhem – in all of their journeys.” When we twist the Torah scroll to Vayikra, the next book, we expect to find ourselves on a journey somewhere. But we don’t. We find ourselves in the Mishkan that we just built, the sanctuary with all of its services and sacrifices. Here is the riddle: What are we to learn from the concluding words, “b’chol mas’ayhem – in all of their journeys,” that brings us to the Torah reading next week?

In order to address that, we need to look at what we’ve achieved in the book of Exodus that we are completing.

When we began the Book of Exodus, we were nothing but a constellation of families; by the time we end the Book of Exodus, we are a united and proud nation.

When we began the book of Exodus, we were telling each other stories about God; by the time we end the book of Exodus, we have a deep personal relationship with God.

When we began the book of Exodus, tribal mores and customs guided us; by the time we end the book of Exodus, we have a Torah to guide us in every step we will take from that point on.

The changes that we have experienced throughout the Book of Exodus prompt us to reflect that although we are now a nation engrossed in issues of governmental significance, we should not neglect our personal relationships. Even as we devote our attention to national and personal affairs, we should not neglect our relationships with God. Even having attained national power, interpersonal strength and trust in God, we should continue to turn to God’s Torah for guidance on any journey we take anywhere, at any time. By the end of Exodus, we are no longer slaves who were liberated from Egypt. We are a people prepared for a lifetime of journeys—national, spiritual, and moral.

The Torah is not a tale of a journey to one particular destination. It’s about all of our journeys. That’s the significance of the closing words “b’chol mas’ayhem”—in all of their journeys.” Those words are the perfect bridge to the Mishkan which traveled with the people and imbued every journey with holiness.

We are a people inspired by purpose and holiness, sustained by passion and compassion. As the world shifts and swirls around us, these values will be our gyroscope, guiding us as we move from one book to the next, from one step to the next, from one journey to the next. No one takes those steps alone. In all our journeys—b’chol mas’ayhem—we will find our way.

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)