Imagine that you switched on the weather channel for the weekly forecast and the meteorologist reported not only a 5 day overcast, but a 40-year haze, with clouds blanketing the entire ground! How would we be able to see or get from point A to point B? 

The Torah relates the greatness of the generation of the wilderness. Throughout their journey in the desert, none of them were asked where they wished to travel or where they wished to station. Rather, they obediently followed the Cloud of Glory regardless of the length of their stay or how comfortable the place. 

“עַל־פִּ֣י יְהוָ֗ה יִסְעוּ֙ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וְעַל־פִּ֥י יְהוָ֖ה יַחֲנ֑וּ כָּל־יְמֵ֗י אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִשְׁכֹּ֧ן הֶעָנָ֛ן עַל־הַמִּשְׁכָּ֖ן יַחֲנֽוּ”

“According to the commandment of Hashem they traveled, and according to the commandment of Hashem they encamped; they remained encamped as long as the cloud stayed over the Tabernacle.”  (Bamidbar 9:18)

We see from here that the Cloud of Glory was Hashem’s tool for guiding the Jewish people throughout their long travel in the desert. Contrary to common perception that clouds indicate fogginess and obscurity, Hashem specifically chose to use a cloud to accompany them and navigate them to the land of Israel, which was their ultimate destination. Likewise, in our own lives, we shouldn’t think that being stuck in a difficult situation or having a lack of clarity is a sign that Hashem isn’t there, God forbid. We learn here the exact opposite- He’s leading us to the best possible place we could ever imagine.

May Hashem give us the strength to remain faithful in His ways and lead us all to live a beautiful Torah life, fully feeling His love and compassion for us always.