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Numbers 33:13 - Journeying toward Sinai's revelation

Numbers 33:13 - במדבר 33:13

Hebrew Text

וַיִּסְעוּ מִדָּפְקָה וַיַּחֲנוּ בְּאָלוּשׁ׃

English Translation

And they departed from Dofqa, and encamped in Alush.

Transliteration

Vayisu miDofka vayachanu b'Alush.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדׇּפְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּאָלֽוּשׁ׃
וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדׇּפְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּאָלֽוּשׁ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Wilderness Journey

The verse (Bamidbar 33:13) describes one of the 42 encampments of Bnei Yisrael during their travels in the wilderness after leaving Egypt. According to Rashi, these journeys are recorded to demonstrate Hashem's kindness—even though they were destined to wander, He did not exhaust them with constant travel. Each encampment served a divine purpose in refining the nation.

Names as Divine Messages

The names Dofqa (דפקה) and Alush (אלוש) are interpreted symbolically by Midrashic sources. The Baal HaTurim notes that "Dofqa" stems from the root ד.פ.ק (to knock), alluding to how Bnei Yisrael "knocked" on the doors of repentance during their travels. "Alush" (אלוש) relates to the word lush (לש), meaning "to knead," hinting at the manna they received—a food requiring no physical labor (Shemot 16:4).

Spiritual Lessons

  • Divine Providence: The Sforno teaches that each encampment was meticulously arranged to instill trust in Hashem’s guidance, as they traveled through a barren desert entirely dependent on miracles.
  • Repentance and Sustenance: The transition from Dofqa (knocking/repentance) to Alush (kneading/sustenance) reflects the spiritual principle that sincere teshuvah leads to divine nourishment, both physically and spiritually.

Geographical Significance

While the exact locations are debated, Rambam (in his commentary on the Mishnah, Rosh Hashanah 2:5) emphasizes that these sites were not chosen for natural resources but to fulfill Hashem’s plan. The Kli Yakar adds that the names’ meanings outweigh their physical coordinates, as the wilderness journey was a spiritual metamorphosis for the nation.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the significance of the Israelites traveling from Dofqa to Alush in Numbers 33:13?
A: The verse lists one of the 42 stops the Israelites made during their 40-year journey in the wilderness. While the Torah does not elaborate on the events at each location, Rashi explains that these stops demonstrate Hashem's kindness—even when the people sinned (like with the Golden Calf), He did not make them wander continuously but allowed them to rest at encampments.
Q: Why does the Torah list all the places where the Israelites camped?
A: The Ramban (Nachmanides) teaches that listing all the encampments serves as a testimony to Hashem's miracles. Despite traveling through a harsh wilderness, the Israelites had their needs provided (manna, water, protection). The Midrash Tanchuma adds that it reminds future generations of the Jewish people's journey and Hashem's constant guidance.
Q: Are there any lessons we can learn today from the journey from Dofqa to Alush?
A: Yes! The Sfas Emes teaches that each encampment represents a stage in spiritual growth. Just as the Israelites progressed through physical stops, our lives have phases where we 'encamp' to reflect and grow before moving forward. Additionally, the journey reminds us to trust in Hashem's plan, even when the path seems unclear.
Q: Do we know where Dofqa and Alush were located?
A: The exact locations are not definitively known today. Rashi and other commentators generally identify these as places in the Sinai wilderness, but the Torah's primary focus is not geography—it emphasizes the spiritual journey of Bnei Yisrael rather than providing a historical map.