Prayer in the Parashah תְּפִלָּה
Our parashah lists all of Benei Yisrael’s journeys through the wilderness.
One part of their trip was from a place called Haradah to a place called Mak’helot (Bemidbar 33:25).
R. Yaakov ben Asher (Holy Roman Empire and Spain, 700 years ago) explains that the names of these two places are symbolic!
He says:
Haradah means “fear,” and it represents the terror that Benei Yisrael experienced when the Egyptians were chasing after them.
Mak’helot is related to the Hebrew word for קְהִלּוֹת (kehillot, groups or communities). This place’s name represents Benei Yisrael coming together in groups to sing songs (Tur Short Commentary Bemidbar 33:25).
In modern Hebrew, the word מַקְהֵלָה (mak’heilah) is the word for a choir, a group of singers!
According to this interpretation, the names of these two spots in the wilderness can tell us about an emotional journey that Benei Yisrael made from fear to confidence. This change was brought about through singing together.
- How can singing keep you from being afraid?
- What is the difference between singing by yourself and singing with a group?
- What parts of the prayer service do you like to sing with others? How does it make you feel?
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