PROPERLY PLACED: 
SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY
Written By: Yarden

As the Torah shows - many of the prophets were cast from society and forced into some sort of exile. Whether by partial choice or mandatory rule, each of the men who walked in the wilderness found the words of the Almighty near to them, without a temple or city full of scholars.

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But, how did they fulfill this ancient covenant, which even Abram, the first Hebrew, was able to approach before Moses stood at mount Sinai?

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The secret lays in the place where they went, and the place where they camped. Abram clearly writes of how he neared to the Almighty. 

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And he went on his journeys, from the south and until Beth el, until the place

where his tent had been previously, between Beth el and between Ai. 

Genesis 13:3

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The word place - used here is the Hebrew word (Maqom) meaning: An open space, somewhere you can stand, somewhere in the country. An open area far from the cities where Abram felt free to camp and move about the wilderness. 

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Then as we continue in the Torah, Joseph is placed into a pit, then into exile in a certain place. 

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And he placed them in the prison of the house of the chief of the slaughterers, into the prison,

the place where Joseph was imprisoned.

Genesis 40:3

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From this we learn, Joseph was imprisoned in the country, out in the wilderness this place was also in the (Maqom) far from the city, where Joseph could near to the Almighty. Just as when Moses left Egypt and went far into the wilderness he also came to the (Maqom) and neared to the Almighty One.

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And He said, "Do not draw near here. Take your shoes off your feet,

because the place upon which you stand is holy soil.

Exodus 3:5

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Deep in the mountains, where Moses saw the burning bush, he was in that place, the (Maqom) where Abram camped, and where Joseph cried, the Almighty keeps his eye on the place in the country.

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Even as the Torah states, the Sabbath is to be conducted in the countryside and not to leave the (Maqom) during the Sabbath day.

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 See, for that the Lord hath given you the Sabbath,

therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days;

abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.

Exodus 16:29

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Even as the Tabernacle moved about the wilderness, its exact location is also the (Maqom) in the countryside, where such a large structure could be easily erected and moved. 

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And the anointing oil and the fragrant incense for the Holy Place.

According to all that I have commanded you, they shall do.

Exodus 16:29

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However, many Torah Observant folks are stuck in the cities and towns, far from the (Maqom) and the Torah speaks about their situation also.  

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If the place where the Lord your God chooses to put his Name is too far away from you,

you may slaughter animals from the herds and flocks the Lord has given you,

as I have commanded you, and in your own towns you may eat as much of them as you want.

Deuteronomy 12:21

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Nearing to the fields and forests ourselves, let us near to the Maqom of the Almighty One, where Abram camped, and where Moses stood, where each of us gather and toil for the soil of the Ozarks. We are far from the ways of the cities and towns, yet near to the practice and upkeep of the ancient shepherds.