TORAH

FIVE BOOKS OF MOSES

NEVI'IM

PROPHETS

KETUVIM

WRITINGS

Chapter 33

Translation and Transliteration of

Listen to this chapter in Hebrew:

1These were the marches of the Israelites who started out from the land of Egypt, troop by troop, in the charge of Moshe and Aharon.

AY-leh mas-AY v'-nay yis-ra-AYL a-SHER ya-tz'-U may-E-retz mitz-RA-yim l'-tziv-o-TAM b'-yad mo-SHEH v'-a-ha-RON

אאֵ֜לֶּה מַסְעֵ֣י בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָצְא֛וּ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם לְצִבְאֹתָ֑ם בְּיַד־מֹשֶׁ֖ה וְאַהֲרֹֽן׃

33:1 These were the marches of the Israelites

This chapter summarizes the journey that the People of Israel took to the Promised Land, starting with the flight from Egypt until they stood on the bank of the Yarden River, ready to enter the land. Overall, there were forty-two encampments in the desert: fourteen before the sin of the spies which took place in the second year, and eight in the fortieth year, leaving only twenty stops during the thirty-eight years in between. Rashi points out that this highlights Hashem’s compassion for His people. Although they were punished with forty years of wandering in the desert, He did not force them to continuously move around, as this would have been too physically grueling. Instead, they were allowed much opportunity to rest between their wanderings.

2Moshe recorded the starting points of their various marches as directed by Hashem. Their marches, by starting points, were as follows:

vai-YIKH-tov MO-sheh et mo-TZA-e-HAYM l'-mas-EY-haym al-PI a-do-NAI v'-AY-leh mas-EY-haym l'-mo-TZA-e-HAYM

בוַיִּכְתֹּ֨ב מֹשֶׁ֜ה אֶת־מוֹצָאֵיהֶ֛ם לְמַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם עַל־פִּ֣י יְהֹוָ֑ה וְאֵ֥לֶּה מַסְעֵיהֶ֖ם לְמוֹצָאֵיהֶֽם׃

3They set out from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. It was on the morrow of the Pesach offering that the Israelites started out defiantly, in plain view of all the Egyptians.

vai-yis-U me-ra-am-SEES ba-cho-DAYSH ha-ree-SHON ba-cha-mi-SHAH a-SAR YOM la-cho-DAYSH ha-ree-SHON, mi-mo-cho-RAT ha-pe-SACH ya-tze-U v'-nay yis-ra-AYL b'-YAD ra-MAH l'-ay-NAY kol mitz-RA-yim

גוַיִּסְע֤וּ מֵֽרַעְמְסֵס֙ בַּחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן בַּחֲמִשָּׁ֥ה עָשָׂ֛ר י֖וֹם לַחֹ֣דֶשׁ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן מִֽמׇּחֳרַ֣ת הַפֶּ֗סַח יָצְא֤וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּיָ֣ד רָמָ֔ה לְעֵינֵ֖י כׇּל־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

4The Egyptians meanwhile were burying those among them whom Hashem had struck down, every first-born—whereby Hashem executed judgment on their gods.

u-mitz-RA-yim m'-ka-B'-rim AYT a-SHER hi-KA a-do-NAI ba-HEM kol b'-KOR u-v'-lo-HE-hem a-SA a-do-NAI sh'-fa-TEEM

דוּמִצְרַ֣יִם מְקַבְּרִ֗ים אֵת֩ אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִכָּ֧ה יְהֹוָ֛ה בָּהֶ֖ם כׇּל־בְּכ֑וֹר וּבֵאלֹ֣הֵיהֶ֔ם עָשָׂ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה שְׁפָטִֽים׃

5The Israelites set out from Rameses and encamped at Succoth.

vai-YIS-u v'-nay yis-ra-AYL me-ra-am-SAYS va-ya-ha-NU b'-su-KOT

הוַיִּסְע֥וּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵרַעְמְסֵ֑ס וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּסֻכֹּֽת׃

6They set out from Succoth and encamped at Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness.

vai-YIS-u mi-SU-kot va-ya-ha-NU b'-ay-TAM a-SHER bi-k'-TZAY ha-mid-BAR

ווַיִּסְע֖וּ מִסֻּכֹּ֑ת וַיַּחֲנ֣וּ בְאֵתָ֔ם אֲשֶׁ֖ר בִּקְצֵ֥ה הַמִּדְבָּֽר׃

7They set out from Etham and turned about toward Pi-hahiroth, which faces Baal-zephon, and they encamped before Migdol.

vai-YIS-u may-TAM, vai-YA-shov al-PI ha-khee-ROT a-SHER al-PE-nay ba-AL tze-FON, va-ya-KHA-nu lif-NEI mig-DOL

זוַיִּסְעוּ֙ מֵֽאֵתָ֔ם וַיָּ֙שׇׁב֙ עַל־פִּ֣י הַחִירֹ֔ת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עַל־פְּנֵ֖י בַּ֣עַל צְפ֑וֹן וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ לִפְנֵ֥י מִגְדֹּֽל׃

8They set out from Pene-hahiroth and passed through the sea into the wilderness; and they made a three-days' journey in the wilderness of Etham and encamped at Marah.

vai-yis-U mi-pe-NAY ha-khee-ROT, vai-ya-a-VRU b'-toch ha-YAM ha-mid-BA-rah, vai-YEL-khu DE-rekh sh'-LO-shet ya-MEEM b'-mid-BA-rah, ai-TAM, vai-ya-cha-NU b'-ma-RAH.

חוַיִּסְעוּ֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י הַֽחִירֹ֔ת וַיַּֽעַבְר֥וּ בְתוֹךְ־הַיָּ֖ם הַמִּדְבָּ֑רָה וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ דֶּ֣רֶךְ שְׁלֹ֤שֶׁת יָמִים֙ בְּמִדְבַּ֣ר אֵתָ֔ם וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמָרָֽה׃

9They set out from Marah and came to Elim. There were twelve springs in Elim and seventy palm trees, so they encamped there.

vai-YIS-u mi-ma-RA va-ya-VO-u eel-MAH u-ve-eel-M SHE-teem e-SRAY a-NOT ma-YIM v'-sh'-VEE-eem t'-ma-REEM vai-ya-cha-NU-sham

טוַיִּסְעוּ֙ מִמָּרָ֔ה וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֵילִ֑מָה וּ֠בְאֵילִ֠ם שְׁתֵּ֣ים עֶשְׂרֵ֞ה עֵינֹ֥ת מַ֛יִם וְשִׁבְעִ֥ים תְּמָרִ֖ים וַיַּחֲנוּ־שָֽׁם׃

10They set out from Elim and encamped by the Sea of Reeds.

vai-YIS-u me-EY-lim, va-ya-KHA-nu al-yam-SUF

יוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵאֵילִ֑ם וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ עַל־יַם־סֽוּף׃

11They set out from the Sea of Reeds and encamped in the wilderness of Sin.

vai-YIS-u mi-YAM-SUF va-ya-KHA-nu b'-mid-BAR-SIN

יאוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִיַּם־ס֑וּף וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמִדְבַּר־סִֽין׃

12They set out from the wilderness of Sin and encamped at Dophkah.

vai-YIS-u mi-mid-BAR sin, va-ya-ha-NU b'-do-f'-KAH

יבוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּדְבַּר־סִ֑ין וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּדׇפְקָֽה׃

13They set out from Dophkah and encamped at Alush.

vai-YIS-u mi-do-F'KAH va-ya-KHA-nu b'-a-LUSH

יגוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדׇּפְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּאָלֽוּשׁ׃

14They set out from Alush and encamped at Rephidim; it was there that the people had no water to drink.

vai-YIS-u me-a-LOSH va-ya-KHA-nu bi-r'-FEE-dam v'-lo-HA-yah SHAM ma-YIM la-AM lish-TOT

ידוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵאָל֑וּשׁ וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בִּרְפִידִ֔ם וְלֹא־הָ֨יָה שָׁ֥ם מַ֛יִם לָעָ֖ם לִשְׁתּֽוֹת׃

15They set out from Rephidim and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai.

va-yis-U me-re-fi-DIM va-ya-ha-NU b'-mid-BAR si-NAI

טווַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרְפִידִ֑ם וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמִדְבַּ֥ר סִינָֽי׃

16They set out from the wilderness of Sinai and encamped at Kibroth-hattaavah.

va-yis-U mi-mi-d'BAR si-NAI, va-ya-ha-NU b'-ki-v'-ROT ha-ta-a-VAH

טזוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּדְבַּ֣ר סִינָ֑י וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּקִבְרֹ֥ת הַֽתַּאֲוָֽה׃

17They set out from Kibroth-hattaavah and encamped at Hazeroth.

vai-YIS-u mi-ki-v'-ROT ha-ta-a-VAH, va-ya-KHA-nu ba-cha-TZE-rot

יזוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִקִּבְרֹ֣ת הַֽתַּאֲוָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּחֲצֵרֹֽת׃

18They set out from Hazeroth and encamped at Rithmah.

vai-YIS-u me-cha-TZE-rot va-ya-cha-NU b'-rit-MAH

יחוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵחֲצֵרֹ֑ת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּרִתְמָֽה׃

19They set out from Rithmah and encamped at Rimmon-perez.

vai-YIS-u me-rit-MAH va-ya-ha-NU b'-ri-MON pa-RETZ

יטוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרִתְמָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּרִמֹּ֥ן פָּֽרֶץ׃

20They set out from Rimmon-perez and encamped at Libnah.

vai-YIS-u me-ri-MON pa-RETZ va-ya-ha-NU b'-liv-NAH

כוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרִמֹּ֣ן פָּ֑רֶץ וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּלִבְנָֽה׃

21They set out from Libnah and encamped at Rissah.

vai-YIS-u mi-li-v'-NAH, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-ri-SA

כאוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִלִּבְנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּרִסָּֽה׃

22They set out from Rissah and encamped at Kehelath.

vai-YIS-u me-ri-SA va-ya-KHA-nu bi-k'-he-la-TAH

כבוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵרִסָּ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בִּקְהֵלָֽתָה׃

23They set out from Kehelath and encamped at Mount Shepher.

vai-YIS-u mi-ke-HE-la-TAH va-ya-ha-NU b'-har sha-FER

כגוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִקְּהֵלָ֑תָה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּהַר־שָֽׁפֶר׃

24They set out from Mount Shepher and encamped at Haradah.

vai-YIS-u me-har SHA-fer, va-ya-KHA-nu ba-kha-ra-DAH

כדוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵֽהַר־שָׁ֑פֶר וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בַּחֲרָדָֽה׃

25They set out from Haradah and encamped at Makheloth.

vai-YIS-u me-kha-ra-DAH, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-mak-HE-lot

כהוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵחֲרָדָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמַקְהֵלֹֽת׃

26They set out from Makheloth and encamped at Tahath.

vai-YIS-u mi-mak-HE-lot, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-ta-KHAT

כווַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמַּקְהֵלֹ֑ת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּתָֽחַת׃

27They set out from Tahath and encamped at Terah.

vai-YIS-u mi-ta-KHAT, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-ta-RAKH

כזוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִתָּ֑חַת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּתָֽרַח׃

28They set out from Terah and encamped at Mithkah.

vai-YIS-u mi-ta-RACH, va-ya-ha-NU b'-mit-KAH

כחוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִתָּ֑רַח וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמִתְקָֽה׃

29They set out from Mithkah and encamped at Hashmonah.

vai-YIS-u mi-mi-t'-KA va-ya-KHA-nu b'-khash-mo-NAH

כטוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמִּתְקָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּחַשְׁמֹנָֽה׃

30They set out from Hashmonah and encamped at Moseroth.

vai-YIS-u me-khash-MO-na, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-mo-SE-rot

לוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵֽחַשְׁמֹנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּמֹסֵרֽוֹת׃

31They set out from Moseroth and encamped at Bene-jaakan.

vai-YIS-u mi-mo-SAY-rot va-ya-ha-NU bi-v'-NAY ya-a-KAN

לאוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִמֹּסֵר֑וֹת וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בִּבְנֵ֥י יַעֲקָֽן׃

32They set out from Bene-jaakan and encamped at Hor-haggidgad.

vai-YIS-u mi-b'-NAY ya-a-KAN, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-KHOHR ha-gid-GAD

לבוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִבְּנֵ֣י יַעֲקָ֑ן וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּחֹ֥ר הַגִּדְגָּֽד׃

33They set out from Hor-haggidgad and encamped at Jotbath.

vai-YIS-u me-KHOR ha-gid-GAD, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-yot-va-TAH

לגוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵחֹ֣ר הַגִּדְגָּ֑ד וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּיׇטְבָֽתָה׃

34They set out from Jotbath and encamped at Abronah.

vai-YIS-u mi-yot-va-TAH, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-a-v'-ro-NAH

לדוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִיׇּטְבָ֑תָה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעַבְרֹנָֽה׃

35They set out from Abronah and encamped at Ezion-geber.

vai-YIS-u me-a-v'-ro-NAH, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-et-si-YON ga-VER

להוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵֽעַבְרֹנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעֶצְיֹ֥ן גָּֽבֶר׃

36They set out from Ezion-geber and encamped in the wilderness of Zin, that is, Kadesh.

vai-YIS-u me-etz-YON ga-VER, vai-ya-cha-NU b'-mid-BAR-TZIN, hi KAY-desh

לווַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵעֶצְיֹ֣ן גָּ֑בֶר וַיַּחֲנ֥וּ בְמִדְבַּר־צִ֖ן הִ֥וא קָדֵֽשׁ׃

37They set out from Kadesh and encamped at Mount Hor, on the edge of the land of Edom.

vai-YIS-u mi-ka-DAYSH va-ya-KHA-nu b'-hor ha-HAR bi-k'-TZAY e-RETZ e-DOM

לזוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִקָּדֵ֑שׁ וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בְּהֹ֣ר הָהָ֔ר בִּקְצֵ֖ה אֶ֥רֶץ אֱדֽוֹם׃

38Aharon the Kohen ascended Mount Hor at the command of Hashem and died there, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had left the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month.

vai-YA-al a-ha-RON ha-ko-HAYN el ha-HAR al-PI a-do-NAI va-YA-mot SHAM b'-sha-NAT ha-ar-BA-eem l'-tze-AT b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL may-E-retz mitz-RA-yim ba-KHO-desh ha-cha-MI-shee b'-e-KHAD la-CHO-desh

לחוַיַּ֩עַל֩ אַהֲרֹ֨ן הַכֹּהֵ֜ן אֶל־הֹ֥ר הָהָ֛ר עַל־פִּ֥י יְהֹוָ֖ה וַיָּ֣מׇת שָׁ֑ם בִּשְׁנַ֣ת הָֽאַרְבָּעִ֗ים לְצֵ֤את בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מֵאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔יִם בַּחֹ֥דֶשׁ הַחֲמִישִׁ֖י בְּאֶחָ֥ד לַחֹֽדֶשׁ׃

39Aharon was a hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

v'-a-ha-RON ben sha-LOSH v'-es-RIM u-m'-AT sha-NAH b'-mo-TO b'-hor ha-har.

לטוְאַהֲרֹ֔ן בֶּן־שָׁלֹ֧שׁ וְעֶשְׂרִ֛ים וּמְאַ֖ת שָׁנָ֑ה בְּמֹת֖וֹ בְּהֹ֥ר הָהָֽר׃

40And the Canaanite, king of Arad, who dwelt in the Negev, in the land of Canaan, learned of the coming of the Israelites.

vai-YISH-ma ha-k'-na-a-NEE me-LEKH a-RAD v'-hu-yo-SHEV ba-NE-gev b'-E-rets k'-na-AN b'-BO b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL

מוַיִּשְׁמַ֗ע הַֽכְּנַעֲנִי֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ עֲרָ֔ד וְהֽוּא־יֹשֵׁ֥ב בַּנֶּ֖גֶב בְּאֶ֣רֶץ כְּנָ֑עַן בְּבֹ֖א בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

41They set out from Mount Hor and encamped at Zalmonah.

vai-YIS-u me-hor ha-HAR, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-tza-l'-MO-na

מאוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵהֹ֣ר הָהָ֑ר וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּצַלְמֹנָֽה׃

42They set out from Zalmonah and encamped at Punon.

vai-yis-U mi-tsal-mo-NAH, va-ya-cha-NU b'-fu-NON

מבוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִצַּלְמֹנָ֑ה וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּפוּנֹֽן׃

43They set out from Punon and encamped at Oboth.

vai-YIS-u mi-PU-non, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-o-VOT

מגוַיִּסְע֖וּ מִפּוּנֹ֑ן וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּאֹבֹֽת׃

44They set out from Oboth and encamped at Iye-Avarim, in the territory of Moab.

vai-YIS-u me-o-VOT va-ya-KHA-nu b'-i-YAY ha-a-va-REEM bi-g'-VUL mo-AV

מדוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵאֹבֹ֑ת וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ בְּעִיֵּ֥י הָעֲבָרִ֖ים בִּגְב֥וּל מוֹאָֽב׃

45They set out from Iyim and encamped at Dibon-gad.

vai-YIS-u me-i-YIM, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-di-VON gad

מהוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵעִיִּ֑ים וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּדִיבֹ֥ן גָּֽד׃

46They set out from Dibon-gad and encamped at Almon-diblathaim.

vai-yis-U mi-di-VON gad, va-ya-ha-NU b'-al-MON div-la-tay-MAH

מווַיִּסְע֖וּ מִדִּיבֹ֣ן גָּ֑ד וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּעַלְמֹ֥ן דִּבְלָתָֽיְמָה׃

47They set out from Almon-diblathaim and encamped in the hills of Avarim, before Nebo.

vai-YIS-u me-al-MON div-la-TAI-ma, va-ya-ha-NU b'-ha-REI ha-a-va-REEM lif-NEI ne-VO

מזוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵעַלְמֹ֣ן דִּבְלָתָ֑יְמָה וַֽיַּחֲנ֛וּ בְּהָרֵ֥י הָעֲבָרִ֖ים לִפְנֵ֥י נְבֽוֹ׃

48They set out from the hills of Avarim and encamped in the steppes of Moab, at the Yarden near Yericho;

vai-YIS-u me-ha-REI ha-a-va-REEM, va-ya-KHA-nu b'-ar-VOT mo-AV al yar-DAYN ye-RE-kho

מחוַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵהָרֵ֣י הָעֲבָרִ֑ים וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֔ב עַ֖ל יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵחֽוֹ׃

49they encamped by the Yarden from Beth-jeshimoth as far as Abel-shittim, in the steppes of Moab.

vai-ya-kha-NU al ha-yar-DAYN mi-BAYT ha-y'-shi-MOT ad a-VAYL ha-shi-TIM b'-ar-VOT mo-AV. (s)

מטוַיַּחֲנ֤וּ עַל־הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִבֵּ֣ית הַיְשִׁמֹ֔ת עַ֖ד אָבֵ֣ל הַשִּׁטִּ֑ים בְּעַֽרְבֹ֖ת מוֹאָֽב׃

50In the steppes of Moab, at the Yarden near Yericho, Hashem spoke to Moshe, saying:

va-y'-da-BAYR a-do-NAI el mo-SHEH b'-ar-VOT mo-AV, al yar-DAYN ye-RAY-kho lay-MOR

נוַיְדַבֵּ֧ר יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַֽרְבֹ֣ת מוֹאָ֑ב עַל־יַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵח֖וֹ לֵאמֹֽר׃

51Speak to B'nei Yisrael and say to them: When you cross the Yarden into the land of Canaan,

da-BER el b'-NAY yis-ra-AYL v'-a-MAR-ta a-LE-hem, KEE a-TEM o-ve-REEM et ha-YAR-den el E-rets k'-NA-an.

נאדַּבֵּר֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ אֲלֵהֶ֑ם כִּ֥י אַתֶּ֛ם עֹבְרִ֥ים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֖ן אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ כְּנָֽעַן׃

52you shall dispossess all the inhabitants of the land; you shall destroy all their figured objects; you shall destroy all their molten images, and you shall demolish all their cult places.

v'-ho-ra-SHE-tem et-KOL yo-SHE-vay ha-A-retz mi-p'-NE-khem v'-i-BAD-tem AYT kol-mas-ki-YO-tam v'-AYT kol-tsal-may ma-say-KHO-tam t'-a-BAY-du v'-AYT kol-ba-mo-TAM tash-MI-du

נבוְה֨וֹרַשְׁתֶּ֜ם אֶת־כׇּל־יֹשְׁבֵ֤י הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם וְאִ֨בַּדְתֶּ֔ם אֵ֖ת כׇּל־מַשְׂכִּיֹּתָ֑ם וְאֵ֨ת כׇּל־צַלְמֵ֤י מַסֵּֽכֹתָם֙ תְּאַבֵּ֔דוּ וְאֵ֥ת כׇּל־בָּמוֹתָ֖ם תַּשְׁמִֽידוּ׃

53And you shall take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have assigned the land to you to possess.

v'-ho-rash-TEM et ha-A-retz vee-shav-tem BAH KEE la-KHEM na-TA-tee et ha-A-retz la-RE-shet o-TAH

נגוְהוֹרַשְׁתֶּ֥ם אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ וִֽישַׁבְתֶּם־בָּ֑הּ כִּ֥י לָכֶ֛ם נָתַ֥תִּי אֶת־הָאָ֖רֶץ לָרֶ֥שֶׁת אֹתָֽהּ׃

33:53 I have assigned the land to you to possess.

Holocaust survivors yearning for Israel

This verse is the source for the biblical command to settle and inhabit the Land of Israel. It emphasizes the importance of living in the land and, according to many, hints to a prohibition of leaving Israel without a compelling reason. As Sefer Bamidbar draws to a close, the people are on the verge of entering the Promised Land and fulfilling these words. They would remain in the land for hundreds of years, but sin and transgression eventually led to their exile. For centuries, the Jewish people yearned to return and resettle their land. While over the centuries, some individuals were able to fulfill these dreams, the founding of the State of Israel in 1948 made it possible for any Jew who wishes to return to come and settle in their homeland. Today, there are approximately six million Jews and eight million total residents in Eretz Yisrael. How fortunate we are to live in a time when the Land of Israel is so accessible to all.

54You shall apportion the land among yourselves by lot, clan by clan: with larger groups increase the share, with smaller groups reduce the share. Wherever the lot falls for anyone, that shall be his. You shall have your portions according to your ancestral tribes.

v'-hit-na-khal-TEM et ha-A-retz b'-go-RAL l'-mish-p'-kho-tay-KHEM la-RAV tar-BU et na-kha-la-TO v'-lam-AT tam-EET et na-kha-la-TO EL a-sher yay-TZAY LO SHA-mah ha-go-RAL LO yih-YEH l'-ma-TOT a-vo-TAY-khem tit-ne-KHA-lu

נדוְהִתְנַחַלְתֶּם֩ אֶת־הָאָ֨רֶץ בְּגוֹרָ֜ל לְמִשְׁפְּחֹֽתֵיכֶ֗ם לָרַ֞ב תַּרְבּ֤וּ אֶת־נַחֲלָתוֹ֙ וְלַמְעַט֙ תַּמְעִ֣יט אֶת־נַחֲלָת֔וֹ אֶל֩ אֲשֶׁר־יֵ֨צֵא ל֥וֹ שָׁ֛מָּה הַגּוֹרָ֖ל ל֣וֹ יִהְיֶ֑ה לְמַטּ֥וֹת אֲבֹתֵיכֶ֖ם תִּתְנֶחָֽלוּ׃

55But if you do not dispossess the inhabitants of the land, those whom you allow to remain shall be stings in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land in which you live;

v'-im-lo to-REE-shu et yo-SHE-vay ha-A-retz mi-p'-NE-khem, v'-ha-YA a-SHER to-TEE-ru me-HEM l'-si-KHEEM b'-ay-NE-khem, v'-litz-ni-NIM b'-tzi-DE-khem, v'-tza-r'-RU et-KHEM al ha-A-retz a-SHER a-TEM yo-SHE-VEEM BAH

נהוְאִם־לֹ֨א תוֹרִ֜ישׁוּ אֶת־יֹשְׁבֵ֣י הָאָ֘רֶץ֮ מִפְּנֵיכֶם֒ וְהָיָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר תּוֹתִ֣ירוּ מֵהֶ֔ם לְשִׂכִּים֙ בְּעֵ֣ינֵיכֶ֔ם וְלִצְנִינִ֖ם בְּצִדֵּיכֶ֑ם וְצָרְר֣וּ אֶתְכֶ֔ם עַל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֖ם יֹשְׁבִ֥ים בָּֽהּ׃

56so that I will do to you what I planned to do to them.

v'-ha-YA ka-a-SHER di-MEE-tee la-a-SOT la-HEM e-a-SEH la-KHEM.

נווְהָיָ֗ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּמִּ֛יתִי לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת לָהֶ֖ם אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֥ה לָכֶֽם׃