Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this aliyah, we learn about the wondrous way the Bnei Yisrael traveled through the midbar, guided directly by the cloud of glory and the fire that rested over the Mishkan. Whether the cloud stayed for a single night, a month, or a year, the Yidden remained encamped, moving only at the word of Hashem through the lifting of the cloud. This section highlights the deep emunah and kabolas ol of our ancestors, who followed Hashem's bidding implicitly throughout their journeys.

Following this, Hashem commands Moshe Rabbeinu to fashion two silver trumpets (chatzotzros) from a single block of hammered silver. These trumpets served a sacred purpose in the camp, used for summoning the community, signaling the leaders, and directing the camps to begin their journeys in an orderly fashion.

All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.

פָּסוּק א

Pasuk 1

וּבְיוֹםAnd on the day ofהָקִיםthe setting up ofאֶת—הַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Mishkanכִּסָּהcoveredהֶעָנָןthe cloudאֶת—הַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Mishkanלְאֹהֶלfor the Tent ofהָעֵדֻתthe Testimonyוּבָעֶרֶבand in the eveningיִהְיֶהthere would beעַלoverהַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Mishkanכְּמַרְאֵהlike the appearance ofאֵשׁfireעַדuntilבֹּקֶר׃morning

רַשִׁ״י

המשכןThe Tabernacleלאהלfor the tent ofהעדת.the Testimonyהַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Tabernacleהֶעָשׂוּיwhich is madeלִהְיוֹתto beאֹהֶלa tentלְלוּחוֹתfor the Tablets ofהָעֵדוּת:the Testimony

רַשִׁ״י

יהיהwasעלuponהמשכן.the Tabernacleכְּמוֹlikeהֹוֶהcontinuously beingעַלuponהַמִּשְׁכָּן,the Tabernacleוְכֵןand soלְשׁוֹןthe usage ofכָּלall ofהַפָּרָשָׁה:the section

פָּסוּק ב

Pasuk 2

כֵּןsoיִהְיֶהit would beתָמִידalwaysהֶעָנָןthe cloudיְכַסֶּנּוּwould cover itוּמַרְאֵהand an appearance ofאֵשׁfireלָיְלָה׃by night

פָּסוּק ג

Pasuk 3

וּלְפִיand according toהֵעָלֹתthe lifting ofהֶעָנָןthe cloudמֵעַלfrom uponהָאֹהֶלthe Tentוְאַחֲרֵיand afterכֵןthatיִסְעוּwould journeyבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוּבִמְקוֹםand in the placeאֲשֶׁרwhereיִשְׁכָּןwould restשָׁםthereהֶעָנָןthe cloudשָׁםthereיַחֲנוּwould campבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

העלותthe raising ofהענן.the cloudכְּתַרְגּוּמוֹlike its Targumאִסְתַּלָּקוּת,departureוְכֵןand so"וְנַעֲלָהand when raisedהֶעָנָן",the cloudוְלֹאand notיִתָּכֵןis it correctלִכְתֹּבto writeוּלְפִיand according toעֲלוֹתthe rising ofהֶעָנָן,the cloudוְעָלָהand roseהֶעָנָן,the cloudשֶׁאֵיןfor there isזֶהnot thisלְשׁוֹןan expression ofסִלּוּקdepartureאֶלָּאbut ratherצִמּוּחַspringing forthוַעֲלִיָּה,and ascendingכְּמוֹlike"הִנֵּהbeholdעָבa cloudקְטַנָּהsmallכְּכַףlike the palm ofאִישׁa manעֹלָהrisingמִיָּם"from the seaמלכיםKingsאIי"ח18:

פָּסוּק ד

Pasuk 4

עַלByפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemיִסְעוּwould journeyבְּנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְעַלand byפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemיַחֲנוּthey would encampכָּלallיְמֵיthe daysאֲשֶׁרthatיִשְׁכֹּןrestedהֶעָנָןthe cloudעַלuponהַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Mishkanיַחֲנוּ׃they would encamp

רַשִׁ״י

עלAtפיthe commandment ofה'Hashemיסעו.they journeyedשָׁנִינוּWe learnedבִּמְלֶאכֶתin the work ofהַמִּשְׁכָּן:the MishkanכֵּיוָןAs soon asשֶׁהָיוּthat wereיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelנוֹסְעִים,journeyingהָיָהwasעַמּוּדthe pillar ofהֶעָנָןthe cloudמִתְקַפֵּלfolding upוְנִמְשָׁךְand extendingעַלoverגַּבֵּיthe top ofבְנֵיthe sons ofיְהוּדָהYehudahכְּמִיןlike a sort ofקוֹרָה,beamתָּקְעוּthey blew a tekiahוְהֵרִיעוּand blew a teruahוְתָקְעוּ,and blew a tekiahלֹאnotהָיָהwas itמְהַלֵּךְmovingעַדuntilשֶׁמֹּשֶׁהthat MosheאוֹמֵרsaysקוּמָהAriseה'Hashem—זוֹthis isבְּסִפְרֵיin Sifrei—וְנָסַעand journeyedדֶּגֶלthe banner ofמַחֲנֵהthe camp ofיְהוּדָה:Yehudah

רַשִׁ״י

ועלAnd byפיthe word ofה'Hashemיחנו.they would encampכֵּיוָןAs soon asשֶׁהָיָהthat wasיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelחוֹנִיםencampingעַמּוּדthe pillar ofהֶעָנָןthe cloudהָיָהwouldמִתַּמֵּרrise like a columnוְעוֹלֶהand ascendוְנִמְשָׁךְand spread outעַלoverגַּבֵּיthe top ofבְנֵיthe children ofיְהוּדָהYehudahכְּמִיןlike a type ofסֻכָּה,sukkahוְלֹאand notהָיָהwould itנִפְרָשׂbe removedעַדuntilשֶׁמֹּשֶׁהthat Mosheאוֹמֵרwould say"שׁוּבָהReturnה'Hashemרִבְבוֹתthe myriads ofאַלְפֵיthousands ofיִשְׂרָאֵל",Yisraelהֱוֵיyou mustאוֹמֵרsay"עַ"פִּby the word ofה'Hashemוּבְיַדand by the hand ofמֹשֶׁה"MosheברייתאBaraithaדמל"הof the thirty-twoפי"גrules:

פָּסוּק ה

Pasuk 5

וּבְהַאֲרִיךְAnd when lingeredהֶעָנָןthe cloudעַלoverהַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Tabernacleיָמִיםdaysרַבִּיםmanyוְשָׁמְרוּand they keptבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֶת—מִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofיְהוָהHashemוְלֹאand did notיִסָּעוּ׃journey

פָּסוּק ו

Pasuk 6

וְיֵשׁand there were timesאֲשֶׁרthatיִהְיֶהwould beהֶעָנָןthe cloudיָמִיםdaysמִסְפָּרof numberעַלuponהַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Tabernacleעַלbyפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemיַחֲנוּthey would encampוְעַלand byפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemיִסָּעוּ׃they would journey

רַשִׁ״י

ויש.And there isכְּלוֹמַר,meaning to sayוּפְעָמִים:and sometimes

רַשִׁ״י

ימיםdays ofמספר.a numberיָמִיםdaysמוּעָטִים:few

פָּסוּק ז

Pasuk 7

וְיֵשׁand there were timesאֲשֶׁרthatיִהְיֶהwould beהֶעָנָןthe cloudמֵעֶרֶבfrom eveningעַדuntilבֹּקֶרmorningוְנַעֲלָהand when liftedהֶעָנָןthe cloudבַּבֹּקֶרin the morningוְנָסָעוּthey would journeyאוֹorיוֹמָםby dayוָלַיְלָהand by nightוְנַעֲלָהand when liftedהֶעָנָןthe cloudוְנָסָעוּ׃they would journey

פָּסוּק ח

Pasuk 8

אוֹOrיֹמַיִםtwo daysאוֹorחֹדֶשׁa monthאוֹorיָמִיםa yearבְּהַאֲרִיךְwhen prolongedהֶעָנָןthe cloudעַלuponהַמִּשְׁכָּןthe Tabernacleלִשְׁכֹּןto dwellעָלָיוupon itיַחֲנוּencampedבְנֵיthe children ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelוְלֹאand did notיִסָּעוּjourneyוּבְהֵעָלֹתוֹand when it liftedיִסָּעוּ׃they journeyed

רַשִׁ״י

אוorימים.a yearשָׁנָה,a yearכְּמוֹjust as"יָמִיםa yearתִּהְיֶהshall beגְּאֻלָּתוֹ"his redemptionויקראVayikraכ"ה25:

פָּסוּק ט

Pasuk 9

עַלByפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemיַחֲנוּthey would campוְעַלand byפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemיִסָּעוּthey would journeyאֶת—מִשְׁמֶרֶתthe charge ofיְהוָהHashemשָׁמָרוּthey keptעַלbyפִּיthe word ofיְהוָהHashemבְּיַדby the hand ofמֹשֶׁה׃Moshe

פָּסוּק י

Pasuk 10

וַיְדַבֵּרAnd spokeיְהוָהHashemאֶלtoמֹשֶׁהMosheלֵּאמֹר׃saying

פָּסוּק יא

Pasuk 11

עֲשֵׂהMakeלְךָfor yourselfשְׁתֵּיtwoחֲצוֹצְרֹתtrumpets ofכֶּסֶףsilverמִקְשָׁהhammered workתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeאֹתָםthemוְהָיוּand they shall beלְךָfor youלְמִקְרָאfor summoningהָעֵדָהthe congregationוּלְמַסַּעand for journeyingאֶת—הַמַּחֲנוֹת׃the camps

רַשִׁ״י

עשהMakeלך.for yourselfשֶׁיִּהְיוּthat they shallתוֹקְעִיןblowלְפָנֶיךָbefore youכְּמֶלֶךְ,like a kingכְּמוֹjust asשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרit is said"וַיְהִיand he wasבִישֻׁרוּןin Yeshurunמֶלֶךְ":king

רַשִׁ״י

עשהMakeלך.for yourselfמִשֶּׁלְּךָ:from your own

רַשִׁ״י

עשהMakeלך.for yourselfאַתָּהyouעֲשֵׂהmakeוּמִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁand useבָּהֶםthemוְלֹאand notאַחֵרanother:

רַשִׁ״י

למקראFor the calling ofהעדה.the assemblyכְּשֶׁתִּרְצֶהwhen you wishלְדַבֵּרto speakעִםwithסַנְהֶדְרִיןthe Sanhedrinוּשְׁאָרand the rest ofהָעָםthe peopleוְתִקְרָאֵםand you call themלֶאֱסֹףto gatherאֵלֶיךָ,to youתִּקְרָאֵםyou shall call themעַ"יְby means ofחֲצוֹצְרוֹת:trumpets

רַשִׁ״י

ולמסעand for the journeyingאת—המחנות.of the campsבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofסִלּוּקdeparting ofמַסָּעוֹתthe journeysתִּתְקְעוּyou shall blowבָהֶםthemלְסִימָן,as a signalנִמְצֵאתָyou are foundאַתָּהyouאוֹמֵרsayingעַ"פִּby the word ofשְׁלֹשָׁהthreeהָיוּthey wereנוֹסְעִיםtraveling—עַלbyפִּיthe word ofהַקָּבָּ"הthe Holy One blessed be Heוְעַ"פִּand by the word ofמֹשֶׁהMosheוְעַ"פִּand by the word ofהַחֲצוֹצְרוֹתthe trumpetsברייתאBoraithaדמל"הof Meleches HaMishkanפי"גchapter thirteen:

רַשִׁ״י

מקשה.beaten workמִןfromהָעֶשֶׁתthe blockתַּעֲשֶׂהyou shall makeבְּהַקָּשַׁתwith the beating ofהַקֻּרְנָס:the hammer

פָּסוּק יב

Pasuk 12

וְתָקְעוּAnd they shall blowבָּהֵןwith themוְנוֹעֲדוּand they shall assembleאֵלֶיךָto youכָּלallהָעֵדָהthe congregationאֶלtoפֶּתַחthe entrance ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵד׃Meeting

רַשִׁ״י

ותקעוAnd they shall blowבהן.with themבִּשְׁתֵּיהֶן,with both of themוְהוּאand thisסִימָןis a signלְמִקְרָאfor summoningהָעֵדָה,the congregationשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וְנוֹעֲדוּand they shall assembleאֵלֶיךָunto youכָּלallהָעֵדָהthe congregationאֶלtoפֶּתַחthe entrance ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵד":Meeting

פָּסוּק יג

Pasuk 13

וְאִםAnd ifבְּאַחַתwith oneיִתְקָעוּthey blowוְנוֹעֲדוּthen shall assembleאֵלֶיךָto youהַנְּשִׂיאִיםthe chieftainsרָאשֵׁיheads ofאַלְפֵיthe thousands ofיִשְׂרָאֵל׃Yisrael

רַשִׁ״י

ואםAnd ifבאחתwith oneיתקעו.they blowהוּאitסִימָןis a signלְמִקְרָאfor summoningהַנְּשִׂיאִים,the princesשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וְנוֹעֲדוּ"then shall gatherאֵלֶיךָto youהַנְּשִׂיאִים",the princes"וְאַףAnd alsoהֵןtheyיְעִידָתָןtheir meeting placeאֶלwas toפֶּתַחthe entrance ofאֹהֶלthe Tent ofמוֹעֵד,Meetingוּמִגְּזֵרָהand from a decreeשָׁוָהequalהוּאitבָאcomesבְּסִפְרֵי:in the Sifrei

פָּסוּק יד

Pasuk 14

וּתְקַעְתֶּםand you shall blowתְּרוּעָהa short blastוְנָסְעוּand they shall journeyהַמַּחֲנוֹתthe campsהַחֹנִיםthat are encampedקֵדְמָה׃eastward

רַשִׁ״י

ותקעתםAnd you shall blowתרועה.an alarmסִימָןthe signalמַסַּעfor the journey ofהַמַּחֲנוֹתthe campsתְּקִיעָהis a Tekiahתְּרוּעָהa Teruahוּתְקִיעָה,and a Tekiahכָּךְsoהוּאitנִדְרָשׁis expoundedבְּסִפְרֵיin the Sifreiמִןfromהַמִּקְרָאוֹתthe versesהַיְתֵרִים:that are redundant

פָּסוּק טו

Pasuk 15

וּתְקַעְתֶּםand you shall blowתְּרוּעָהa teruah-blastשֵׁנִיתa second timeוְנָסְעוּand they shall journeyהַמַּחֲנוֹתthe campsהַחֹנִיםthat are encampedתֵּימָנָהto the southתְּרוּעָהa teruah-blastיִתְקְעוּthey shall blowלְמַסְעֵיהֶם׃for their journeys

פָּסוּק טז

Pasuk 16

וּבְהַקְהִילAnd when assemblingאֶת—הַקָּהָלthe congregationתִּתְקְעוּyou shall blowוְלֹאand notתָרִיעוּ׃sound a alarm

רַשִׁ״י

ובהקהילAnd when gatheringאת—הקהלthe congregationוגו'.etc.לְפִיBecauseשֶׁהוּאthat Heאוֹמֵרsays"וְהָיוּ"And they shall beלְךָfor youלְמִקְרָאfor callingהָעֵדָהthe assemblyוּלְמַסַּעand for journeyingאֶת—הַמַּחֲנוֹת",the camps"מַהjust asמִּקְרָאcallingהָעֵדָהthe assemblyתּוֹקֵעַhe blowsבְּב'with twoכֹּהֲנִיםpriestsוּבִשְׁתֵּיהֶםand with both of them—שֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וְתָקְעוּ"And they shall blowבָהֵן"with them"וְגוֹ'etc.—אַףso tooמַסַּעjourneying ofהַמַּחֲנוֹתthe campsבִּשְׁתֵּיהֶם,is with both of themיָכוֹלI might thinkמַהjust asמַּסַּעjourneying ofהַמַּחֲנוֹתthe campsתּוֹקֵעַhe blows a Tekiahוּמֵרִיעַand blows a Teruahוְתוֹקֵעַ,and blows a Tekiahאַףso tooמִקְרָאcallingהָעֵדָהthe assemblyתּוֹקֵעַhe blows a Tekiahוּמֵרִיעַand blows a Teruahוְתוֹקֵעַand blows a Tekiah—וּמֵעַתָּהand from nowאֵיןthere is noחִלּוּקdifferenceבֵּיןbetweenמִקְרָאcallingהָעֵדָהthe assemblyלְמַסַּעto journeying ofאֶת—הַמַּחֲנוֹתthe camps—תַּ"לScripture teaches"וּבְהַקְהִיל"And when gatheringאֶת—הַקָּהָל"the congregation"וְגוֹ',etc.לוֹמַרto sayשֶׁאֵיןthat there is noתְּרוּעָהTeruahלְמִקְרָאfor callingהָעֵדָה,the assemblyוְהוּאand this isהַדִּיןthe ruleלַנְּשִׂיאִים,for the princesהֲרֵיbeholdסִימָןa signalלִשְׁלָשְׁתָּם,for the three of themמִקְרָאcallingהָעֵדָהthe assemblyבִּשְׁתַּיִםwith twoוְשֶׁלand that ofנְשִֹיאִיםthe princesבְּאַחַתwith one—וְזוֹand thisוָזוֹand thisאֵיןhave noבָּהֶםin themתְּרוּעָהTeruah—וּמַסַּעand journeying ofהַמַּחֲנוֹתthe campsבִּשְׁתַּיִםwith twoעַ"יְby means ofתְרוּעָהTeruahוּתְקִיעָהand TekiahספריSifrei:

פָּסוּק יז

Pasuk 17

וּבְנֵיAnd the sons ofאַהֲרֹןAharonהַכֹּהֲנִיםthe Kohanimיִתְקְעוּshall blowבַּחֲצֹצְרוֹתwith the trumpetsוְהָיוּand they shall beלָכֶםfor youלְחֻקַּתas a statute ofעוֹלָםeternityלְדֹרֹתֵיכֶם׃for your generations

רַשִׁ״י

ובניAnd the sons ofאהרןAaron…יתקעו.shall blowבַּמִּקְרָאוֹתat the assembliesוּבַמַּסָּעוֹתand at the journeysהַלָּלוּ:these

פָּסוּק יח

Pasuk 18

וְכִיAnd whenתָבֹאוּyou goמִלְחָמָהto warבְּאַרְצְכֶםin your landעַלagainstהַצַּרthe oppressorהַצֹּרֵרwho oppressesאֶתְכֶםyouוַהֲרֵעֹתֶםand you shall blowבַּחֲצֹצְרוֹתwith the trumpetsוֲנִזְכַּרְתֶּםand you will be rememberedלִפְנֵיbeforeיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour Godוְנוֹשַׁעְתֶּםand you will be savedמֵאֹיְבֵיכֶם׃from your enemies

פָּסוּק יט

Pasuk 19

וּבְיוֹםAnd on the day ofשִׂמְחַתְכֶםyour rejoicingוּבְמוֹעֲדֵיכֶםand on your festivalsוּבְרָאשֵׁיand on the beginnings ofחָדְשֵׁיכֶםyour monthsוּתְקַעְתֶּםand you shall blowבַּחֲצֹצְרֹתwith the trumpetsעַלoverעֹלֹתֵיכֶםyour burnt offeringsוְעַלand overזִבְחֵיthe sacrifices ofשַׁלְמֵיכֶםyour peace offeringsוְהָיוּand they shall beלָכֶםfor youלְזִכָּרוֹןas a remembranceלִפְנֵיbeforeאֱלֹהֵיכֶםyour GodאֲנִיI amיְהוָהHashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶם׃your God

רַשִׁ״י

עלOverעלתיכם.your burnt offeringsבְּקָרְבַּןof an offering ofצִבּוּרthe communityהַכָּתוּבthe ScriptureמְדַבֵּרspeaksערכיןArakhinי"אeleven:

רַשִׁ״י

אניI amה'Hashemאלהיכם.your Godמִכָּאןfrom hereלָמַדְנוּwe learnedמַלְכִיּוֹתverses of Kingshipעִםwithזִכְרוֹנוֹתverses of Remembranceוְשׁוֹפָרוֹת,and verses of Shofarsשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is said"וּתְקַעְתֶּם"and you shall blow—זוֹthis isשׁוֹפָרוֹת,verses of Shofars"לְזִכָּרוֹן"for a remembrance—זוֹthis isזִכְרוֹנוֹת,verses of Remembrance"אֲנִיI amה'Hashemאֱלֹהֵיכֶם"your God—זוֹthis isמַלְכִיּוֹתverses of Kingshipוְכוּ'and so onספריSifrei:

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The aliyah details the precise manner in which the Bnei Yisrael camped and journeyed solely by the word of Hashem, as indicated by the movement of the cloud of glory. It then introduces the mitzvah of the silver trumpets, outlining the specific blowing patterns—tekiah and teruah—used to gather the congregation, assemble the leaders, and signal the camps to travel. Finally, the Torah establishes that these trumpets are to be blown by the Kohanim during times of war to invoke Hashem's salvation, as well as on joyous occasions, festivals, and Rosh Chodesh over the communal sacrifices as a remembrance before Hashem.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

Think about the incredible emunah of our ancestors in the midbar. Sometimes they would travel for days, exhausted, and finally set up camp, only for the cloud to lift the very next morning. Other times, they were ready to move, but the cloud lingered for a whole year, forcing them to wait. Yet, the Torah praises them because they moved only 'al pi Hashem'—solely at the word of Hashem. They surrendered their own schedules, their own plans, and their own comfort to the divine will.

In our own lives, we often experience this same spiritual tension. We make plans, we set timelines for our careers, our shidduchim, or our personal goals, and then Hashem changes the direction. A door closes, a delay happens, or we are suddenly forced to move before we feel ready. The yetzer hara wants us to become frustrated and lose our peace of mind. But the real avodah of a Yid is to realize that these unexpected stops and sudden starts are not accidents. They are the cloud of Hashem guiding our personal journey.

Whether you are currently in a period of waiting where nothing seems to be moving, or in a chaotic rush of sudden change, remember that both are 'al pi Hashem.' When we accept His timing with love and bitachon, we turn our daily struggles into a holy service, just like the Kohanim blowing the trumpets to signal the camp.

Today, when something in your schedule does not go as planned, take a deep breath, smile, and say to yourself: 'This delay is also from Hashem; I am exactly where He wants me to be right now.'