[Avodah] Ein mafsikin b'massa'os

[Elazar M. Teitz]

     RMicha Berger transferred to Avodah the discussion which took place on Mesorah about why we discuss 42 massa'os, when there are only 41 listed.  However, for some reason, there was an omission of an answer given by RSBAbeles which is not only an answer, but shows that  there is no question to begin with.  

     He refers to the last Rashi in Sefer Sh'mos, who says that "makom chaniyasan af hu karuy massa."  Since there were 42 resting places (the 41 from which they traveled, plus Arvos Moav, where they ended up), there are indeed 42 massa'os.  As the Chizkuni there explains, the pasuk says that the Anan HaShem was on the mishkan "b'chol maseihem," yet it was only when they were encamped that this was so; during the actual travels, the Anan led them.  Hence, maseihem refers to the encampments.

EMT


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