Lesson of the Spies

This week’s Parsha is Shelach, distinctively known as the Parsha of the Miraglim. This is one of the most troubling stories we find in Jewish history. We know that upon the Yidden’s request Moshe allowed a group of spies to go and scope out the land of Eretz Yisroel before the Jews would enter it. Upon returning to Moshe and the Jews they came bearing the terrible news of giants inhabiting the land as to which the Jews respond by declaring that they’d prefer to go back to Egypt! This is mind boggling. How is it possible after witnessing possibly the greatest miracles of all time that they could have such a lack of faith?! Did they not first hand witness all that G—d is capable of?! There are many answers brought down by commentators but one of the simpler almost obvious answers is the following.

What it came down to at the end of the day was their feelings of indifference and lack of appreciation. The Yidden, having just experienced miracle after miracle got used to this notion, as if daily occurrences of waters splitting and extreme plagues hitting their enemy was the norm. They got so used to this miraculous lifestyle they were living they didn’t stop and appreciate just how extraordinary and great life actually was. While we can sit and judge and question how on earth they could behave in such a manor if we stop to think about it we are not very different than the Yidden then. Many of us are unfortunately victims of such a mindset ourselves. We experience day to day miracles in our lives that we just take for granted. The fact that I wake up every morning, have food to eat, clothes to put on my back, family, friends, a job, these are all miracles! Do you know how many people unfortunately don’t have such things?! Taking it one step further think about yourself. When you do a favor for someone and it goes unappreciated what kind of feelings does that stir up in you? How about when you are appreciated, when you’re given thanks and given praise? Not only do you feel good about what you did but it makes you want to do more for that person.

Luckily for us we are given Davening. All we need to do is to take that half hour of our day and acknowledge to G-d that we are aware of all that he does. Keep this in mind next time you’re Davening or if you don’t have the luxury to Daven daily than just stop and take even five minutes. Think about and appreciate all that you have and give thanks to the one who gives it all to you.

Shabbat Shalom!