42 Journeys, Part 5. The Harvest Years. Aging, Wisdom and the Ripening of the Soul

So we've covered, especially when we face the real challenging times in life, how those challenges can be contr-- can be transformed into opportunities.

But as we continue that journey, it opens up new situations, you can say, new issues, new challenges, but also tremendously new opportunities.

So our last journey, journey 27, was we arrived at-- They left Chashmona and they arrived at Moseres.

And there we talked about, just to refresh the last, the journey 27, that Moseres comes from the word chastisement, like mussar.

This is the stage in life where with wise experience that we've gained over the years, we have the ability to counsel others and offer constructive criticism and rebuke.

But now we move from there and we begin journey 28, the journey from Moseres, and they camped in Bnei Yakan, Yakan.

What does that represent? Bnei Yakan literally means the sons of Yakan.

Bnei is children of, the sons of Yakan.

Yakan was a grandson of Seir.

Seir was another name as Eden, Esav, the twin brother of Jacob.

What is the meaning of the word Seir? Wells of distress.

That's one of the meanings.

A place that is narrow, confined, and tight.

This journey- Which is also connected to the passing of Aaron, if you may recall.

The previous journey was most likely the place where they grieved for Aaron.

Refers to the distress and limits that come with older age, health issues, infirmity, and the general physical decline associated with aging.

Both the agony for the aged one as well as for his or her family and friends as they see him or her waning.

So we all know health issues can be quite overwhelming in many different ways, yet this stage too can be transformed into a very fruitful o- fruitful one by learning to appreciate and connect with a deeper aspect of the aged one, the wisdom and experience that comes with the years as the next journeys celebrate.

And that's what means Bnei Yaakov, the sons of Yaakov, the offspring, the fruit that comes even from aging issues has many, many fruits.

We often think in very linear black and white terms something is good or something is bad.

It's not the case.

Yes, there are challenging-- challenges with age, including health challenges as we just discussed, but there are also tremendous opportunities, and that's what this journey represents.

And from there we move to journey number twenty-nine.

They left Bnei Yaakov and camped in Chor HaGidgad.

What is Chor HaGidgad? Literally means the hole or the clefts of Gidgad.