Journeying Towards the Irreplaceable

Reflections on Eretz Yisrael and Life's Transitions

I saw an intriguing advertisement this week. It featured Rav Chaim Kanievsky's minibus, which was being offered for tourists to explore Eretz Yisrael. While that is somewhat perplexing, it is slightly less disturbing than the recent auction for a pair of Rav Chaim’s trousers. Interestingly, people tend to collect or utilize various items associated with Torah leaders as a segulah, including Gartels, Kiddush cups, and even sukkah boards.

In Parashas Masei, the Torah meticulously records each of the 42 stops the Jewish people made on their journey to Eretz Yisrael. The Meforshim explain that this signifies the 42 distinct phases of life, spanning from conception to death. Alternatively, it represents the 42 phases of exile our people will endure before our eventual return to Eretz Yisroel with the arrival of Mashiach. Indeed, each of the 42 places is named for the specific event that took place there, the event with which they had made their impact.

Ultimately, we will return to Eretz Yi…