Chassidut on the Torah

Chassidut Archives

Overview Shlach (Numbers 13:1-15:41) begins by relating how Moshe sent the 12 spies to explore the Promised Land. Ten of the spies returned with an evil report which influenced a majority of the people. Because of the Jews' apparent disbelief in G-d's ability to conquer the Land, the adult men of that generation were decreed to perish in the desert during the next 38 years. Despite the decree, a group of Jews defiantly attempted to enter the Holy Land but were defeated by Amalekites and Canaanites. Next described are the details of meal and dough offerings, and communal and individual sin offerings for committing idolatry inadvertently. Next is the story of a man caught gathering sticks in violation of Shabbos and his death as consequence. The parsha concludes with the mitzva to separate challah from dough, to wear fringes (tsitsis) with a special strand of blue on four cornered garments and not to be drawn after your heart and eyes. Insights One of the Torah's most dramatic episodes is found in this week's Torah portion. The 12 spies and their evil report of the Land of Israel: "They are a mighty nation that dwells in the Land, and the cities are heavily fortified," they said (13/28). There were two spies who opposed the other ten and spoke in defense of Israel and G-d. One of them, Kalev, responded that the Jews would indeed be able to conquer the Land. Rashi states that Kalev began to list many of G-d's miraculous deeds for the sake of the Jews-all to demonstrate that nothing can hinder G-d's will. The spies continued their attack, "We will not be able to conquer the people because they are stronger mimenu-than us" (13/31). The Levush explains that the word mimenu can also be pronounced mimeno-'than Him', referring to G-d. The spies inferred that G-d would be unable to conquer Israel. This claim seems surprising considering that all the Jews had witnessed G-d's miraculous victories over the Egyptians, and yet they were persuaded by the spies! What did the spies say to cause such doubt in G-d's abilities? They spoke of having seen the 'Nefilim' in Israel (13/33). Who were the Nefilim that they instilled such panic? Nefilim comes from the word 'to fall'. These Nefilim were originally angels who 'fell' from Heaven to dwell among humans at the time of Enosh, 235 years after creation of the world. They were extremely powerful angels who came to the physical world in that corrupt era before the flood to prove that temptation and evil could be resisted. Unfortunately, they fell further into spiritual corruption than their mortal neighbors and eventually led rebellions against G-d. The Jews understood that physical barriers were no obstacles for G-d. However, these spiritually charged Nefilim seemed to pose a real threat. The Rebbe explains, according to Chassidut, the inner reason for the spies opposing the entry into Israel. The desert represented a spiritually oriented lifestyle; Israel denoted physical reality. The spies were the leaders of the Jews and were concerned for the people's spiritual welfare. They saw how very lofty angels, the Nefilim, had tried and failed to overcome the potent lure of materialism. These pure beings 'fell' from spiritual heights to the most base depths. A fortiori, the assumption was that if angels couldn't make it, how much more so we humans. We have no hope standing up against the odds of a physical existence in Israel. In Israel the Jews would be compelled to work the land, engage in business, cook, sew, do laundry, etc.-time consuming mundane tasks they did not perform in the desert. The spies saw the desert as ideal for spiritual pursuit. Entering Israel and tending to physical matters could be of spiritual harm and a temptation to the Jews, so, if possible, better to avoid it completely. (Ultimately, the Jews were punished for believing the spies. They were decreed to wander, and the men to perish, in the desert for the next 40 years) Yehoshua and Kalev recognized the mistake of the other spies and answered, "...do not fear the nation of the Land" (14/9). We are more capable than the angels. G-d has placed a G-dly soul within each Jew thereby giving us the ability not only to withstand the temptation of physicality but also to instill the world with spirituality. This is what Yehoshua and Kalev knew: that every Jew is not only strong enough to overcome the lowest physical elements but can even transform them to vessels for serving G-d. May each and every one of us succeed in making the factors of our life-including the smallest details-vehicles for holiness, and may this lead to the immediate redemption. Shabbat Shalom, Shaul Reb Moshe was blind, destitute, and childless, but was nevertheless always happy. His joy elicited Heavenly pride, and it was decided that Eliyahu the Prophet grant Reb Moshe one wish. Moshe's wife advised him to ask for sight; his parents suggested offspring; and his friends told him to request wealth. When Eliyahu came, Reb Moshe made his wish. "I wish to see my child drinking from a golden goblet." From this story we learn 1. Always be happy 2. Be clever 3. This is the key to asking for Moshiach-when the redemption will come, all our needs will be provided. Think BIG, don't be afraid, ask for Moshiach NOW! Include Ascent in your summer plans! Do not be afraid to go into the Land.

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