This week's parsha explains the technical aspects of  Bnei Yisroel's travels through the desert.  The cloud of glory which accompanied and led Bnei Yisroel would signal to them whether it was time to move on or remain camped. The verse says that "according to the word of Hashem, they traveled and according to the word of Hashem the encamped". Sometimes they would spend a long time at one encampment and sometimes they would spend a short time, but whenever they got the signal to move on, they did so with haste.

In life we all go through our own "desert" of trials and tribulations. Some of our "encampments" are enjoyable and pleasurable, while others are difficult. We don't know how long one situation will last for as Hashem "cuts down the haughty and uplifts the downtrodden" the rich man can become poor, the poor man can become rich; the healthy, sick and the sick, healthy. But in each situation we need to realize that we are going along the path that Hashem has set for us. Sometimes Hashem wants us to deal with a certain situation and face certain tests and we should proceed in life as the Jewish People did in the desert  "according to the word of Hashem, they traveled and according to the word of Hashem the encamped" .

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath