Shlach Lecha 2023
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2023
“And God said to Moshe send out for yourself “Men” (אנשים) and they will spy out the land of Canaan which is the land that I am giving to the Children of Israel each “Man” each “Man” (איש אחד) according to his tribe shall you send all leaders of men.”(Num 13:1)
“The use of the term “Men” ((אנשים when used in the Torah always denotes men of stature, worthy men. At that moment they were worthy.” (Rashi)
What happened to these worthy men that made them become unworthy at the end of the forty days? According to the simple read of the story it was the encounter with the local population that influenced them: “The cities are large and well-fortified. We saw there the Children of the Brave One (alt. Giants)” (ibid v28) (Moshe later describes these people; “You are going to encounter a great and powerful people, the Children of the Brave Ones, the same ones about who you have heard “Who can stand in front of the Children of the Brave Ones!”. (Deut 8:1-2)). Later the spies describe their encounter as follows; “And we saw there the “Fallen Ones” the Children of the Brave Ones, and we were in our own eyes like grasshoppers, and so too in their eyes.” (Num 13:33)
According to the Midrash the spies were captured by a certain giant. He asked them what their business was here in Canaan and why were they carrying the grapes and the fruit. He was unconcerned about them and let them pass. Another Midrash describes the spies hiding in the trees. The local population noticed them and inquired about “those grasshoppers up there in the trees”. They too were unconcerned.
The local population was not concerned over the appearance of the spies or about the impending attack on their country. The spies remembered the song of the sea where they sang out “The hearts of the Canaanites will melt in fear”. Where was that fear? Apparently, in their eyes, something changed in the destiny of the Jewish nation. The spies were worried that the lack of fear was foreboding of a pending disaster. What started out as a routine spying mission turned into a mission filled with concern for the future of the nation.
In truth the lack of fear by the population was a result of knowing that these spies were nothing and that their nation was nothing and as a result that they had nothing to fear. The only people who were unaware of this reality were Moshe, Aaron, Caleb, and Yehoshua. And even Caleb was somewhat reserved in his urgings. Initially he called out,” We shall surely go up and inherit the land because we are able (worthy) of it!” later he is not so sure, ”If God wants us, He will bring us to this land and give it to us”.
Being fearless is a basic requirement for becoming a great soldier. The Talmud tells us in Sotah that when a soldier is fearful, better let him go home and not spread his own cowardice to his fellow soldiers.
God forgave the people saying “I have forgiven as you have requested” (ibid 14:20). He was aware as were the Canaanites that the people were too fearful to engage the “Children of the Brave Ones”. The name says it all and tells the whole story.
Shabbat Shalom.