בס”ד
A THOUGHT ABOUT PARSHAT SHLACH LECHA 5784
In Numbers 13:1-2 , we encounter that G-d did not command Moses to send spies to the land of Canaan but “for you” – for Moses. The wording of this permission raises questions about the necessity of sending spies when the land was promised by G-d to the Israelites.
| And the L-RD spoke unto Moses, saying: | וַיְדַבֵּ֥ר ד’ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה לֵּאמֹֽר׃ |
| ‘Send thou men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel; of every tribe of their fathers shall ye send a man, every one a prince among them.’ | שְׁלַח־לְךָ֣ אֲנָשִׁ֗ים וְיָתֻ֙רוּ֙ אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן אֲשֶׁר־אֲנִ֥י נֹתֵ֖ן לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל אִ֣ישׁ אֶחָד֩ אִ֨ישׁ אֶחָ֜ד לְמַטֵּ֤ה אֲבֹתָיו֙ תִּשְׁלָ֔חוּ כֹּ֖ל נָשִׂ֥יא בָהֶֽם׃ |
In Hebrew, it literally says “שְׁלַח־לְךָ” (send for you). Rashi on verse 2:
Send for yourself: According to your own understanding. I am not commanding you; if you wish, send. This is because the Israelites came and said, ‘Let us send men ahead of us,’ as it is said, ‘Then all of you approached me…’ (Deuteronomy 1:22). Moses consulted the Shechinah (Divine Presence), and G-d said, ‘I have already told them that the land is good, as it is said, “I will bring you up out of the affliction of Egypt to the land…” (Exodus 3:17). By your life, I will give them an opportunity to err by the words of the spies so that they will not inherit it.’
The story of the spies in the Torah seems to indicate that the people wanted to assess whether the land was truly good enough to justify fighting for it. This is a logical consideration before engaging in battle. However, if G-d declares something as good, there should be no need to verify it or develop a strategic plan, especially not after all the miracles and signs the Jewish people had experienced during their journey through the desert and their exodus from Egypt.
Nachmanides (Ramban) on Numbers 13:2 points out that sending spies, in itself, was not inherently wrong. Joshua would later do the same when preparing to conquer Jericho. It was a method to follow leaders who were familiar with the land, ensuring that it could be conquered more efficiently. By bringing back products from the land before the people entered it, the spies would also boost the morale of the nation, encouraging them to commence their conquest. The spies did indeed provide thorough answers to the questions Moses had asked them to investigate. Moses asked, for example, whether the inhabitants were powerful, and the spies confirmed this (see Numbers 13:18 and 13:28).
However, when one starts to question whether what G-d deems good is truly good, or whether something is too challenging, mistakes are easily made. The crucial mistake in this instance was that the spies concluded that the inhabitants were too strong to be defeated. Rashi on Numbers 13:31 explains that the Hebrew word מִמֶּנּוּ, translated as “than we,” can also be read as “than He,” referring to G-d. This leads us to the dangerous slippery slope of heresy.
Applying the Lesson Today
With this in mind, let’s fast forward to the present day. We live in uncertain times. Israel faces constant attacks from hostile nations and groups, such as those in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Iran. The Jewish people as a whole experience this hostility in many countries around the world. The direct danger is felt when one walks through their city or neighborhood, goes to the synagogue, or attends university. I observe it when I go to work, noticing the stress and tension even in young children. We see the immediate threat through aggressive rhetoric in the media, suggesting that Israel cannot possibly withstand forces like Hezbollah or Iran because of their numerical superiority and capabilities to overwhelm defense systems like the Iron Dome.
We sense the tension escalating on a global scale. What will countries like America and Russia do if the situation in the Middle East worsens? What does the future hold for us? We yearn for good news; we long for the revelation of G-d’s sovereignty.
Keeping Faith in Challenging Times
We might be inclined to think: Where is G-d? Where is His power, His salvation? Perhaps there is even doubt in our hearts. But let us heed the lesson of the spies to maintain positive speech and thought. Let us remain strong and not doubt G-d’s promises. Despite the fact that “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers conspire together against the L-RD and against His anointed” (Psalm 2:2), it is G-d who ensures victory. All who trust in Him will not be put to shame, and all who seek refuge in Him will be blessed (Psalm 2:12).(Read also Psalm 46)
By Angelique Sijbolts
With thanks to Dr. Michael Schulman and Rabbi Tani Burton for the feedback
Sources:
Text Mechon Mamre
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