The Weekly Dvar Torah
Volume I Issue #5
Two Jews, Three Opinions: The Nation That Leads its Leaders
Adapted from the wisdom of Rav Meir Simcha HaCohen of Dvinsk from the Meshech Chochmoh and Rav Tzadok HaCohen from Pri Tzadik and other works.
By Rav Yitzchak Schwartz Rosh Yeshiva Orchos Chaim Jerusalem
yschwartz@orchos.org.
In the Meschech Chochmah parshas Shelach Bamidbar 13:30 Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk presents a fascinating insight into the sin of the spies that were sent to survey the land of Israel. When the spies return from their mission they cause a raucous disruption. When the spies return from their reconnaissance mission of the land of Israel they bring with them a report filled with discouragement and despair. Entry into the land of Israel would be virtually impossible. In contrast to their dismal report Kalev and Yehoshua came back with an entirely different account. True the land is filled with intimidating giants and formidably bolstered cities but that would present no problem. They would cut through the interference like a loaf of bread.
How can two or more people observe the exact same situation, agree on the facts, and then turn their conclusions one hundred and eighty degrees apart? Perception; it is all about how we view reality. Our perception of ourselves defines the reality around us. Perception is a tool that we employ to give meaning and significance to the facts that we see. Perception is a paint brush with which we create the picture that will become our reality.
Let's look at the background of this disastrous mission. The spies departed on their mission soon after hearing an alarming and disturbing prophecy. Eldad and Maidad received prophecy in the camp (Bamidbar 11:26). The message that they received from Hashem was communicated to them in public and within the earshot of the entire Jewish nation. "Moshe will die and Yehoshua will bring the people into the land". When the spies heard this gloomy prediction they panicked. The nation survived in the wilderness only through miraculous intervention. It was always Moshe who was the agent for the miracles that they needed for their protection and sustenance. Alarmed as they were from this boding of harm and hazard, their perception of the Land led them to what seemed to be a perfectly logical conclusion. To enter the Land would require supernatural intervention. The only one on record who could accomplish such a feat was Moshe. The miracles in Egypt, the splitting of the sea, bread from heaven, the well spring, the clouds of glory, the list goes on and on, in all case it was Moshe who was the agent.
Now informed that instead Moshe it would be Yehoshua who would lead the people into the Land, they prudently concluded not to risk it on their own. After all, the undisputable reality on the ground included giants and super-fortified cities that were clearly insurmountable without miraculous intervention. Even Yeshoshua and Kalev agreed with this part of their report. The difference was in their perception. Yes, the Land could be conquered only through miraculous means. Kalev was certain that just as Hashem preformed miracles for their survival in the wilderness so too would He continue to do so in conquest of the Land despite the fact that Moshe would no longer be with them. The spies had a skewed perception of reality because they thought that their miraculous existence in the wilderness was totally dependant on Moshe.
Kalev and Yehoshua knew that this was not the case. In fact, the reality was quite the opposite; Moshe's ability to carry out miracles was predicated on the inherent greatness of the Jewish people. With or without Moshe, Hashem would lead and protect His people even if miracles were required. "And Kalev silenced the people for Moshe etc," i.e. Kalev silenced the people from attributing everything to Moshe. The miracles were not in the merit of Moshe, rather Moshe's power depended on the people.
Had the Jewish people understood this they would have entered the Land immediately and the decree of Moshe's death would have been annulled. But since they continued to attribute their extraordinary providence to the merit of Moshe there was a great danger that eventually Moshe would be deified. Therefore the decree was final, Moshe must die. The people would need a long time in order to internalize a new paradigm. Forty years would pass until they would realize that Hashem dwells with them on their own merit. The people are worthy of Hashem's grace regardless of who their leader is.
In light of this we can better appreciate the following episode in the book of Yehoshua (3:10). Just before the nation enters the land, he informs them that tremendous miracles were about to take place and through this they would realize that the "living G-d is in your midst…" The Talmud comments that this was the first time in the history of mankind that anyone referred to Hashem as the "living G-d". The Jewish people, under the tutelage of Yehoshua finally understood what their master Moshe had been teaching them all along: "It is not dependent on me [Moshe]... only on you!" We require no intermediary to accomplish our Divine destiny. We only need to heed His voice and follow in His ways. Hashem will then provide the leadership that we deserve and when necessary even preform miracles.
Rav Tzadok HaCohen comments that the mitzvah of emunah, the belief in Hashem, is composed of two parts. One is to believe in the Creator. The other is to believe in oneself. We are obligated to know and believe that our Creator, who created us with wisdom and full intent, desires our existence and closeness. Our thoughts and actions make a difference. Our deeds are the greatest source of nachass that Hashem has. Hashem receives the utmost pride in our accomplishments. On a personal level each of us needs to know and continually reinforce this message: I am worthy of Hashems's love and attention. He is with me wherever and whatever I may be.
By Rav Yitzchak Schwartz Rosh Yeshiva Orchos Chaim Jerusalem
yschwartz@orchos.org.
In the Meschech Chochmah parshas Shelach Bamidbar 13:30 Rav Meir Simcha of Dvinsk presents a fascinating insight into the sin of the spies that were sent to survey the land of Israel. When the spies return from their mission they cause a raucous disruption. When the spies return from their reconnaissance mission of the land of Israel they bring with them a report filled with discouragement and despair. Entry into the land of Israel would be virtually impossible. In contrast to their dismal report Kalev and Yehoshua came back with an entirely different account. True the land is filled with intimidating giants and formidably bolstered cities but that would present no problem. They would cut through the interference like a loaf of bread.
How can two or more people observe the exact same situation, agree on the facts, and then turn their conclusions one hundred and eighty degrees apart? Perception; it is all about how we view reality. Our perception of ourselves defines the reality around us. Perception is a tool that we employ to give meaning and significance to the facts that we see. Perception is a paint brush with which we create the picture that will become our reality.
Let's look at the background of this disastrous mission. The spies departed on their mission soon after hearing an alarming and disturbing prophecy. Eldad and Maidad received prophecy in the camp (Bamidbar 11:26). The message that they received from Hashem was communicated to them in public and within the earshot of the entire Jewish nation. "Moshe will die and Yehoshua will bring the people into the land". When the spies heard this gloomy prediction they panicked. The nation survived in the wilderness only through miraculous intervention. It was always Moshe who was the agent for the miracles that they needed for their protection and sustenance. Alarmed as they were from this boding of harm and hazard, their perception of the Land led them to what seemed to be a perfectly logical conclusion. To enter the Land would require supernatural intervention. The only one on record who could accomplish such a feat was Moshe. The miracles in Egypt, the splitting of the sea, bread from heaven, the well spring, the clouds of glory, the list goes on and on, in all case it was Moshe who was the agent.
Now informed that instead Moshe it would be Yehoshua who would lead the people into the Land, they prudently concluded not to risk it on their own. After all, the undisputable reality on the ground included giants and super-fortified cities that were clearly insurmountable without miraculous intervention. Even Yeshoshua and Kalev agreed with this part of their report. The difference was in their perception. Yes, the Land could be conquered only through miraculous means. Kalev was certain that just as Hashem preformed miracles for their survival in the wilderness so too would He continue to do so in conquest of the Land despite the fact that Moshe would no longer be with them. The spies had a skewed perception of reality because they thought that their miraculous existence in the wilderness was totally dependant on Moshe.
Kalev and Yehoshua knew that this was not the case. In fact, the reality was quite the opposite; Moshe's ability to carry out miracles was predicated on the inherent greatness of the Jewish people. With or without Moshe, Hashem would lead and protect His people even if miracles were required. "And Kalev silenced the people for Moshe etc," i.e. Kalev silenced the people from attributing everything to Moshe. The miracles were not in the merit of Moshe, rather Moshe's power depended on the people.
Had the Jewish people understood this they would have entered the Land immediately and the decree of Moshe's death would have been annulled. But since they continued to attribute their extraordinary providence to the merit of Moshe there was a great danger that eventually Moshe would be deified. Therefore the decree was final, Moshe must die. The people would need a long time in order to internalize a new paradigm. Forty years would pass until they would realize that Hashem dwells with them on their own merit. The people are worthy of Hashem's grace regardless of who their leader is.
In light of this we can better appreciate the following episode in the book of Yehoshua (3:10). Just before the nation enters the land, he informs them that tremendous miracles were about to take place and through this they would realize that the "living G-d is in your midst…" The Talmud comments that this was the first time in the history of mankind that anyone referred to Hashem as the "living G-d". The Jewish people, under the tutelage of Yehoshua finally understood what their master Moshe had been teaching them all along: "It is not dependent on me [Moshe]... only on you!" We require no intermediary to accomplish our Divine destiny. We only need to heed His voice and follow in His ways. Hashem will then provide the leadership that we deserve and when necessary even preform miracles.
Rav Tzadok HaCohen comments that the mitzvah of emunah, the belief in Hashem, is composed of two parts. One is to believe in the Creator. The other is to believe in oneself. We are obligated to know and believe that our Creator, who created us with wisdom and full intent, desires our existence and closeness. Our thoughts and actions make a difference. Our deeds are the greatest source of nachass that Hashem has. Hashem receives the utmost pride in our accomplishments. On a personal level each of us needs to know and continually reinforce this message: I am worthy of Hashems's love and attention. He is with me wherever and whatever I may be.