Parashat Sh’lach 5784

by Rabbi Margie Cella

At God’s command, Moses sends 12 men to scout out the land of Canaan before entering it. They spent 40 days traversing the land, returning with a cluster of grapes that required two people to carry it. They described the land as bounteous, with very large inhabitants. Caleb and Joshua recommended going into the land, but the other 10 were too afraid to do so. The people listened to the 10, refusing to go into Canaan. This angered God, who threatened to destroy the nation, starting again with Moses. Moses interceded for the Israelites, convincing God not to destroy them because it would look bad to the other nations. Instead, God decreed that it would take them 40 years to enter the land, during which time all the fighting men of that generation except for Joshua and Caleb would die in the wilderness.

Moses demonstrates care for both the people and God. We have already seen him lose patience with the people and their frequent complaining. It might have been very tempting to just say yes to God’s proposition to make Moses the center of a new nation. Instead, he put personal glory aside, pleading with God not to destroy the nation, though they were certainly guilty of disobedience. Additionally, Moses shows concern for God’s reputation amongst the nations of the world. God has dwelt among the people in love, leading them through the desert in a cloud. What would the world think about a vengeful God that would now destroy that nation? Moses put aside personal gain and glory, knowing that both God and the people were more important than he, who was only one individual. Moses is a role model for us all. Kol Yisrael Arevim Zeh Ba’Zeh — All the people of Israel are responsible for one another.