The Baal Shem Tov taught that each of our lives is comprised of forty-two journeys, corresponding to the forty-two journeys of the children of Israel in the wilderness.
Some of those journeys have pleasant names. Others don’t sound so nice. Some even appear to backtrack.
Yet, in truth, all are crucial steps in your journey, and each takes you higher and yet higher.
What are the journeys? Reply
I've been wanting to express gratitude to Rabbi Freeman for his work on Daily Dose. I just love them and have been reading them for years. Daily Dose that I've come across more than once can take on a deeper meaning or even a new meaning. They are insightful, poetic, and touch me. At times I've referred to Rabbi Freeman as the "Poetic Rabbi". :-) The accompanying pictures are also wonderful. Whose the "Picture Rabbi"? :-) Reply
Forty Two Journeys Answers the Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything.
These are the journeys of the children of Israel. (Numbers 33:1)
When G d brought the Jews our from Egypt. He brought them out with the mystery of the 42-letter name, just as He created heaven and earth.... (Zohar Chadash)
The forty-two “stations” from Egypt to the Promised Land are replayed in the life of every individual Jew, as his
soul journeys from its descent to earth of birth to its return to its source. (Rabbi Israel Baal Shem Tov)
Reply
The Journey to Heaven Our 'journey' is to find our path back to G_d. 'Exiled from the Land' is our separation from G_d's territory - His exalted state of Love and goodness. - we exit 'Egypt' (our self love) ....through 42 'journeys', struggling to come out of our land (state) of self-love, until we integrate in harmony with others as if we were one Self. Then at our final destination or Land, G_d resides amonst us in a place where we have reached equivalence of quality with Him (dvekut) The difference between our initial state in G_d's land and our return is our awareness of how to be like G_d. He needed to make us opposite to Him in order for us to understand His Nature, Reply
the worst and the worst journey is the one that is more profitable - if you survive to it. Reply
Journeys As a Christian I never have the chance to hear about these 42 journeys. I look up numbers 33, see them, but do not understand. Would you refer me to some further study if available on your web site. We never have any sermon about this subject. Thank you. Reply
Reach out to your local Chabad rabbi and inquire about the path of the righteous gentile. Reply
clarification wondering
Ive heard it said that there are 32 paths
Do these 32 paths correlate to the 42 lessons
Yes it is important..to understand the lessons & use them to understand our lives
It is important to show appreciation & continue to do mitzvohs & make choices that we think are the best for us..even if these are atypical choices...
Reply
Re: Names of Journeys They can be found here: Bamidbar - Numbers - Chapter 33. Reply
What are the names of the 42 journeys? Reply
Journeys - additional thougts
Unfortunately, "uncomfortable" does not begin to cover the loss of two adult daughters of blessed memory, there is no "arrival" at a destination, so to speak.
True acceptance of some things take time and in my case a little humor, no matter how black it may appear to others.
G-d has seen fit that I should use some of my pain to offer hope to others. In that sense G-d is using me to bring light into darkness. G-d has also provided the source of strength to walk through the darkness.
Left in my own human fraility, I should hide my head in the sand like an ostrich ... hence my use of G-d forbid; it is not a curse at G-d but a reminder to me of my weakness.
Reply
Journeys There is comfortable and uncomfortable. There is light and darkness. My job is to bring light into the darkness; by accepting the darkness as a gift from G-s, being grateful that there is an opportunity to grow and bless His name and do the best I can, through the situation. Do not curse the darkness, that is not our job...even though it appears to be negative...dissasociate if necessary, but do not curse it. After all, it is G-d's gift; even if I may not "like it". Reply
Journeys
Oy! I made a list of major events/journeys that I know have impacted my life and counted 28 throughout my almost 62 years.
G-d forbid I should live long enough to experience 14 more.
My problem is I don't know what G-d counts.
Reply
so relevant Thank you for these selected meditations. They are relevant every single day! Shabbat Shalom Reply
i look at the dates some of these comment were written and wonder how that person is doing. in particular.. karin, i hope you are well.