The main story in parashat Sh’lach [Numbers 13:1-15:41] is the tragedy of the spies. In some ways, this sin, the failure of the Israelites to recognize that their destiny is to conquer the land no matter what the odds, is their greatest sin. For the rabbis, there seems to be little question, for they associate the sin of the spies with Tisha B’Av, the worst day on the Jewish calendar, whereas the sin of the Golden Calf is associated with the 17th of Tammuz, a prelude to Tisha B’Av. The verb la-tur, “to seek out, spy out, explore”, which is repeated many times througout the narrative of the spies, is picked up in the final section of the parashah, which we know as the third paragraph of the Sh’ma. There, the tzitzit, the ritual fringes, are intended to prevent Israelites from being led astray by their hearts and eyes. In a sense, this paragraph comes to remind us that the very act of la-tur, seeking out, is fraught with danger. Whether the initial command comes from God or Mose, or even the people themselvies is, perhaps immaterial. It is the command to la-tur, to scout out, without the requisite controls suggested by the tzitzit, which dooms the spies. We are often led astray. God provides the means to withstand the temptation. Now that war seems to have resumed, our thoughts and prayers are with those defending the United States as part of the United States Armed Forces and those defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces. May peace soon descend on the region and all other troubled areas on earth. Shabbat Shalom.
