The spies had been instructed to scout out the land in order to determine the optimal strategy the Jews should employ to conquer it. Indeed, when they returned from their mission they gave their report on the land and its inhabitants.
However, in addition to providing the information they were requested to obtain, the spies ventured their own opinion about the mission itself: "We will not be able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we!" they declared.
G-d hadn't asked the spies whether or not they thought conquering the land was possible. Their mission was solely a fact-finding mission; thus, adding their own opinion and discouraging the Jewish people from fulfilling G-d's request was a transgression.
An emissary is required to carry out his mission to the best of his ability, no more and no less. Altering that mission to accommodate his own thoughts and feelings is a distortion of the very mission with which he was entrusted.
In truth, every Jew is an emissary of G-d, Who caused him to be born into this world in order to fulfill a unique mission. For the mission of every Jew is to transform his surroundings into -- a "dwelling place for G-d" -- through the performance of Torah and mitzvot.
As G-d's emissary the Jew is required to "scout out the land" -- to determine the best possible method of fulfilling his assignment. Each individuals circumstances will determine whether that's through strengthening his observance of Shabbat, keeping the laws of kashrut more carefully, lighting Shabbat candles or putting on tefilin.
G-d doesn't ask the Jew if it's possible to attain his goal; the very fact that he's been sent on his mission to bring G-dliness into the world indicates that the "land" can indeed be conquered.
Furthermore, no matter how difficult the mission may seem, a Jew must never arrive at the conclusion of the spies and despair of ever being victorious.
Yes, a Jew is entrusted with a special mission, but G-d has given him the power and capacity to fulfill his mission. Bearing this in mind is the key to being successful.
Shabbat shalom!
No comments:
Post a Comment