In today's message:
Can I do it? Yes, I can.
Freedom without being free
At the beginning of this week’s portion (
Shelach), Moses sends out 12 “spies” to explore the Land of Israel. After 40 days they come back and report that although Eretz Yisrael is good and “flowing with milk and honey”, “We are unable to go up against the people, for they are stronger than us” (Numbers 13:31).
As a result of their negative report, G-d decrees that the Jewish Nation should wander in the desert for 40 years and that only the next generation should enter the Promised Land.
“Just do it!” --- but only if you want to
But something curious happened here. The full verse reads “Shelach lecha” – which literally means “send for yourself”. In other words, G-d is telling Moses “I am not telling you what to do; do as you see fit”.
Now, is that such a big deal, doing “as you see fit”? We do it all the time – which route to take driving to work, which store to go to (or to use Amazon…). What’s so peculiar about it?
A new reality
Up until this point, Moses faithfully and accurately carried out G-d's explicit instructions and commandments. But this was a new reality - sending out the spies was the first time G-d let the Jewish Nation decide for themselves - “Do as you see fit.”
True, the Jewish Nation had gained freedom from slavery, but they were not yet free. With “Shelach lecha”, G-d required that that generation take upon themselves the responsibility of making their own decisions. And perhaps more importantly, also accepting the consequences.
That was more than revolutionary, it was the foundation of being truly free.
We’re not ready
In a way, the 10 spies were saying that they were not yet prepared to make their own decisions. Let G-d do it for them.
But that is diametrically opposed to G-d's plan. And so, they were left to wander in the desert for another 40 years while a new generation would take over. And what happened after 40 years?
We are ready
A new generation arose. They faced, and accepted, the more difficult task; they were ready to act - they were ready to be free. This was a generation willing and ready to accept their responsibility to distinguish good from evil and right from wrong, not by being directed from above but by using their own good judgement.
And we continue that responsibility to this very day.
And especially this year, by doing so, we reaffirm that Am Yisrael chai!!!
With heartfelt prayers for Am Yisrael and Israel, and Shabbat Shalom.
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Did you know that...
This coming Thursday, June 18, the third day of the Hebrew month of Tammuz, is the anniversary of the Rebbe’s passing in 1994.
Stay tuned for our upcoming events and much more. In the meantime,
click here for an online biography.
Rabbi Eliezer Reinhold
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