לקוטי שיחות חלק יח - חקת ג

Regarding the Clouds of Glory that departed upon Aharon’s passing, it is difficult to understand why the Torah does not mention their return, just as it explicitly records the return of the well. Seemingly, according to the simple meaning of the verses, one must conclude that the clouds were present even after Aharon’s death.

The explanation is that the Clouds of Glory did not fully return after Aharon’s passing.

This can be understood by noting that Scripture sometimes refers to them simply as “clouds” and at other times as “Clouds of Glory.”

One may explain that the clouds which performed specific functions—such as protecting the Jewish people, leveling the terrain, and providing practical benefits—were called simply “clouds.” However, there were also clouds that served no practical function at all. Their entire purpose was solely to honor the Jewish people. These were the true “Clouds of Glory.”

It was these clouds of honor that disappeared when Aharon passed away, and they never returned.

This also explains the precise wording regarding the Canaanite king, who thought that permission had been granted to wage war against Israel. Seemingly, the main point is missing, for not only would permission have been granted, but the ability to attack would also have existed if the Clouds of Glory had departed.

The answer is that the protective clouds remained and continued to safeguard the Jewish people. Therefore, the enemy was not actually given the ability to defeat them. Rather, the Canaanite merely assumed that because the Clouds of Glory—as distinct from the ordinary protective clouds—had disappeared, this indicated that Heaven had granted permission to attack.

The reason the Clouds of Glory did not return in Moshe’s merit is that Moshe was the shepherd of Israel. His influence upon the Jewish people was not granted as a special merit or reward, but as the fulfillment of a shepherd’s responsibility to provide his flock with whatever they needed.

Therefore, Moshe provided the Jewish people with their necessities, but not with additional honors that were not essential.

This concept is reflected in the manna as well. Even after Moshe’s passing, the Jewish people continued to eat from the manna that had descended during his lifetime for as long as they needed it.

From this we learn that the shepherds of Israel never become separated from their flock. Even after their passing, they continue to provide the Jewish people with everything necessary for their physical and spiritual welfare. Their influence endures, supplying their flock with all that is truly needed.