This week’s music: https://youtu.be/XCsL1NuuIaM

What was it that the “meraglim,” spies, were so afraid of? Why couldn’t they see that which Yehoshu and Kalev saw that the land was very very good ( Bamidbar14.7)! Why was Korach actin gout so strongly, gathering a mob to gang up on Moshe Rabenu in the name of equality. He was willing to go as far as to chance it in a public forum in front of God Himself. His jealousy and desire for honor were so strong, says The Slonimer Rebbe, that he literally removed himself from reality.

What is it that we are so afraid of that stops us from begging God to bring the “geulah,” the ultimate Peace and redemption , right now?

Perhaps that which we have in common with the “meraglim” and Korach is our fear ofthe unknown. The spies ,many commentaries tell us, were simply afraid that God would no lopnger be leading the way fro them and protecting them each day when they would enter “Eretz Yisrael.” Korach, The holy Ishbitzer Rebbe, in his teaching the Mei Shiloach, says that Korach was most afraid of what would happen when Moshe Rabenu would not be entering The Land with B’nai Yisrael . Who would be the right one to lead us all?

We are all so afraid of the unknown. We have that little voice inside of us telling me to doubt. Doubt myself, doubt my friends, doubt my teacher, doubt my faith in God. How do I know that life in the “new world” will be any better that it is here and now? After all, if I am not suffering on a personal level, if my business is prospering, if I have a loving family, why would I want to chance it all for a biblical promise that my eyes are not yet able to see coming true. Why don’t I have the vessels to listen to that other positive voice in me that I supportive and who intuitively knows that Hashem is simply setting the stage for something even greater for us all? If we weren’t so afraid we would be begging Hashem to bring the “geulah” now.

The doubts of the spies, the ego of Korach and even the endless bad advice that we receive from outside sources are the catalysts for failure. We can’t listen to the voice that does not have our best interest at heart. We can’t listen to the advisers whose power and position is more important to them than our honest future.

Reb Shlomo taught us the following. “Do you know why Yehoshua did not fall into the same trap as the other “meraglim”?” Moshe gave him a letter from God’s name. He got the “Yud” added to his name from Hoshea to Yehoshua. That “Yud,” that Godlinesss, gave him the strength not to listen to anyone of the other great leaders for the time and rather hear his inner Godly voice. Anyone who tells you it is a bad scene to go to Israel,” Shlomo continues, “Don’t listen!” When someone brings me a gift, am I ready to receive it gracefully? When Hashem sends me a blessing am I open to always say, yes, thank you?

I bless us all to have the ears and eyes of our soul to hear that which can lift us up to a place where we mamash hear the word of our Creator, when we can see that inner light calling us to be together, to support each other and not constantly question each other, to only want a future where we can all prosper with love and joy in a world where we know only truth and Peace and no longer need to tell each other what we judge as good and bad.

Shabbat Shalom,
Yehudah