Live with purpose

Life is a journey filled with movement. At times, we are called to move away from a place, situation, or stage of life. But true spiritual growth happens when we move towards something, when we walk with vision. A life of purpose isn’t defined by what we escape, but by the destination we walk toward.

This message appears clearly in this week’s Torah portion, Parshat Masei, where Moshe recounts the journeys of the Jewish people in the desert. The Torah uses two terms: “motza’ehem” (departures) and “masa’ehem” (journeys). This teaches us that each movement wasn’t just about leaving, it was about heading toward a divine goal.

We see a similar message in the story of Yaakov Avinu, who flees from his brother, Eisav. The Torah states, “Vayeitzei Yaakov miBe’er Sheva” (he left Be’er Sheva), but immediately adds, “Vayeilech Charanah”(he went to Charan). The Ohr Hachaim HaKadosh notes that this second phrase reveals Yaakov’s clarity of direction. He wasn’t just running away, he was moving forward.

Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau illustrates this concept by referring to how the prophets describe the Jewish people. At times, we are called clouds, and at other times, doves. A cloud is passive, blown in any direction by the wind. It’s shaped by external forces. But a dove is active, capable of independent flight and direction. The message is profound: we must strive to be like the dove, not merely reacting to the winds of life, but flying purposefully toward our spiritual destination.

We don’t want to spend our lives simply running from things. We must ask ourselves: What am I running to? What is my destination? What is my direction and plan?

This idea is relevant in both an individual and national sense. It resonates especially during the nine days leading up to Tisha B’Av. Throughout history, the Jewish people have often been like clouds, pushed from place to place, exiled and scattered. At this time, we shouldn’t focus only on the cloud movements of our people, we also need to think about our goals and purpose as a nation.

What is our personal and national identity? In what direction should we be going?

The answer lies in the very same verse from this week’s parsha, Bamidbar 33:2: “Al Pi Hashem” (At the word of Hashem).

Our mission is to reveal Hashem in the world. As the prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah 43:10) says, “Atem eiday, neum Hashem” (you are My witnesses), says Hashem.

Through our actions, speech, values, and mitzvot, we testify to the existence of a Creator and to the moral purpose of life. We are ambassadors of G-d, reflecting divine light into a dark and confused world.

Our role is not just to escape, but to build. Not to react, but to reveal.

Like the dove, we must fly forward with clarity, courage, and commitment toward our national and personal calling: to live al pi Hashem (by the word of G-d), and illuminate the world with holiness, justice, and compassion.

Rabbi Daniel Sackstein – Sunny Road Kehilla