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Finally, on the second day of the second month following the offering of the "Second Passover" (see second aliyah), the Israelites are ready to march forward. The cloud rises above the Tabernacle, and the camp begins to move. As a final gesture, Moses invites his father-in-law to join the Israelites on their march into Israel, a request that Chovav (Jethro) apparently turns down, claiming that he wishes to return to Midian, his home. For three days the Israelites travel, yet what lies ahead is a terrible tragedy - one that will be revealed in tomorrow's study.
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| Thoughts to Consider and Discuss |
1. Explain the advantages (military and otherwise) of each of the two versions of this diagram.
2. Contrast the words used by Abraham in Genesis 12:1 with those of Chovav (10:30) about returning to his homeland. What does this show about their feelings towards their roots?
3. Why did the Israelites travel in formation? After all that they had witnessed, shouldn't they have relied on G-d to protect them?
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'Israel is one of those countries that seem to begin the minute you step on the plane, especially if you happen to be traveling on El Al. Within minutes of fastening your seat-belt, you will probably learn that your seatmate is a nurse from Herzlia, that she has been visiting her son who is studying abroad, and that she has another son who lives on a kibbutz and a daughter who is in the army. By the time you are off the ground, she will tell you that her daughter's boyfriend's parents are from Morocco. But, she will add quickly, he is a very nice boy. It's just, she might say confidentially, that she doesn't like the kind of music he listens to. Still, she might muse, it could be worse. And now that she has gotten to know you, she will proceed to plan your itinerary in Israel, making sure that you miss no ancient column, no historic wall, indeed no pile of rubble during your stay. Of course, she will insist that you visit her in Herzlia and meet her husband; you will probably find yourself actually planning your tour around a visit to her home."
Fodor's 1992 Guide to Israel
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What were the expectations of the Israelites as they began the trip into Israel? What symbols along the way helped shape these expectations?
What do you think Chovav might have thought or felt when Moses invited him to join them in the land? Does an average non-Jew feel welcome when s/he comes to Israel?
How important is it to show kindness and hospitality to strangers in our land?
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