Parshas Shelach: Humongous Fruits, Humongous Warriors, and Humongous Amounts of Chutzpah

I've recently begun studying the weekly parsha with a learning partner over the phone. This is an incredible opportunity not only because my learning partner has significantly more Jewish education than I do, but also because when two individuals learn together, the process is enhanced by both of their experiences and insights. Even if you have already learned a parsha in depth, you can always gain something new from studying it again, particularly with a partner.

In this week's Torah portion, Parshas Shelach, we meet up with the Jewish people as they are nearing Eretz Yisrael. Moshe sends twelve spies to Canaan, seemingly to scope out the lay of the land, and when they return 40 days later with a giant cluster of grapes, a pomegranate and a fig in tow, the report is not all sweet. With the exception of Caleb and Joshua, the rest of the spies warn that the land is not only abundant in ginormous fruit, but also inhabited by giants and warriors "more powerful than we." Only Caleb and Joshua believe and insist that the Jewish people can conquer the land as commanded by G-d; the rest of the Jewish people weep and kvetch that they would prefer to return to Mitzrayim. G-d decrees that Israel's entry into the Land shall now be delayed for forty years. So, how do humongous fruits, giants, crying and forty years of waiting relate to our lives today? Here are some interesting points I took from studying this parsha:

Is seeing believing?

• This was a generation of Jews who experienced open miracles in a way we no longer do. Their belief and trust in G-d was, in a sense, made simple by the fact that they could clearly see and experience His powerful work. They got stuck at the Red Sea? G-d created a miracle and parted the waters. They got hungry along their sojourn? G-d created another miracle and unfailing provided manna and water to sustain them on their journey. For all intensive purposes, their every need had been previously provided for. Now they were being made to work for their sustenance, to till and toil the land, and they got scared. But why? Had G-d not protected and provided for them up until now? Why, just because they would no longer see immediate evidence of His hand in their survival, would they believe G-d had any less of a role in that? The answer, I believe, is twofold:
• Uncharted territory is scary. It is human to be afraid of that which we have yet to experience. When we do not know what to expect, we grow tentative, hesitant and even, at times, resistant. This was a generation of holy people and yet they still struggled with this very human condition.
• When we can't directly see/feel/perceive something, we question/fear/resist it. But why? Think of the wind, for instance. We cannot directly see the wind, but we very well trust in its existence when we see the leaves rustle in the trees, feel the breeze against our face, or hear the howling of an autumn gust. Even the most self-declared "secular" Jewish farmer in Eretz Yisrael often keeps the halachas surrounding one's land and crops; he perceives indirectly G-d's role in his success or his demise.

G-d does not give a person a struggle he or she cannot handle AND it is our divine mission to reach our G-d given potential.

• G-d has given each and every one of us a divine mission to complete in this physical world. It may not feel natural or come easily to us, but it is uniquely ours. If we are unwilling to fulfill this divine purpose, it is as though we are obsolete.  The Jewish people of this generation were given the divine mission to enter into Eretz Yisrael, to work the land and create a nation for the Jewish people. They did not trust in themselves or in G-d enough to fulfill this mission and as a result, it was the next generation, their children who would obtain this purpose and not them.
• Exhibit A: Joshua & Caleb: They are the two key figures in this week's parsha who ascended above the mistake of the Jewish people. Joshua was given this name by Moshe, who added a yud to his former name Hosea, indicating that "G-d would save" him from the plot of the spies. As one of the two spies who gave encouragement and remained positive, he was rewarded by succeeding Moshe as leader of the Jewish people. He went on to continue Moshe's work of conquering the land and is also responsible for dividing the land among the twelve tribes of Israel. Finally, he was the second link, right below Moshe in the chain of the transmission of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Caleb was significant in that he outright spoke to the Jewish people imploring that they have trust in G-d and fulfill His mission; G-d would not have allotted them this task if it was truly insurmountable. Caleb went on to inherit the city of Chevron and both Joshua and Caleb were rewarded by being the only two males to merit from entry into Eretz Yisrael and receive immunity from G-d's decree.

• G-d knew the Jewish people would make a mistake. Again, he created a miracle: it should have taken much longer to enter and return from Canaan but G-d made it that the spies should accomplish this journey in 40 days since He also knew their consequence would be to sojourn for one additional year in correspondence to each day of their trip. Therefore, this generation were kept from entering the Land for forty years but no longer.

 Moshe had chutzpah! and other important lessons about leadership, education and parenthood:

• Moshe outright argued with G-d; now that's chutzpah! When G-d was upset that the Jewish people were acting so rebelliously, Moshe reminded Him that it was His idea to put them in this position and test their faith; it was now G-d's responsibility to show the Jewish people that they could trust Him. Moshe went so far as to admonish G-d that smiting this generation would only make Him look bad! Moshe reminded G-d they the Jewish people were only human! What do we learn from Moshe's brazenness? 
• Firstly, sometimes we must speak up and have chutzpah. We are only human; we make mistakes. But how long must our suffering last? From where will our help come? It is said that through heartfelt prayer and tears the gates of Heaven are opened; we have a right and a responsibility to demand help from G-d.
• Secondly, I am reminded of the value and power in my role as a teacher. In any leadership role, whether you are a parent, educator, or mentor of any kind, one must maintain a balanced approach of sensitivity and persistence. Setting the bar too high leads to imminent failure and feelings of frustration and despair. However, setting the bar too low also inhibits success and leads to feelings of inadequacy and worthlessness. We must be leaders/teachers/parents like Joshua and Caleb. We must have faith in our students/children that they can, will and should succeed. We must also emanate our own faith in G-d and maintain trust in our ability to successfully fulfill our own unique divine mission.

"We can surely ascend...for indeed we can overcome it!"