Rabbi Howard Morrison

Choosing what you want to see - Parshat Shlach Lecha (June 5, 2021 - 25 Sivan 5781)

How could it be that twelve people saw the same material reality and came back with opposite conclusions? All twelve tribal representatives agreed that the land flows with milk and honey. They all agreed that the residents are powerful and the cities are fortified. They agreed about the various groups living in different parts of the land. Ten, however, responded, "We cannot go up; they are stronger than we; we look like grasshoppers to ourselves and to them." In the narrative, the ten add their own editorial to their description: "They brought forth an evil report to the children of Israel." Perhaps most striking at the outset of their report is the word Efes." The word is translated as "However (the people who inhabit the country are powerful)." Literally, "Efes" means "Zero." The ten chieftains saw themselves as a zero from the outset. They were destined to see what they wanted to see - zero, nothing, no chance, doom and gloom. Only Joshua and Caleb chose to see things in a different way: "The land is an exceedingly good land. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will bring us into that land, a land that flows with milk and honey, and give it to us."

Ten of the delegates saw negative in themselves and chose to see only the negative of what stood before them. Two of the delegates saw positive in themselves and chose to see the opportunity already promised to them by God.

What about us? What is our predisposition when encountering the unknown? Have the last 16 months weighed us down? Have we found some silver lining? Are we positive or negative in anticipating the end of Summer, the Fall, or next Winter? 

Two months ago, our shul sent out a survey questionnaire asking how we were doing in your eyes during Covid? Most of the respondents saw the good in what we have been trying to accomplish during unprecedented challenging times? Some found our efforts average. A small few were highly critical. As we soon prepare for a new Jewish year, we hope and pray that the shul will be open to many more attendees than last year. Of course, livestream will continue to be made available. How many of us will become more involved and help our community to be the best it can be as we plan to gradually emerge from Covid?

Switching gears, what are we choosing to see regarding Israel? While no person or country can ever be perfect, are we choosing to be influenced by the haters of Israel? Are we choosing to see the good of Israel? Its promise and opportunity to the Jewish people and to the world at large? Have any of the haters of Israel thrown into the garbage all the medical and technological advances made because of Israel's pioneering efforts????

Are we choosing to see that Israel is not merely a 1948 construction coming out of the Shoah? Zionist efforts began in the mid-1800's. In fact, the case for Israel as the Jewish homeland is well over 3000 years old. In today's Parsha, we read of the very first time that a representation of the entire peoplehood of Israel stepped on to its sacred grounds. Tragically, only two saw the good, while ten incited a panic, which led to the  punishment of a 40 year wandering period in the desert.

I urge you all to read an article which appeared on May 28 in the New York Times. My rabbinical school classmate and rabbinic colleague, Rabbi David Wolpe, wrote a guest essay entitled, "The Jewish history of Israel is over 3000 years old. That's why it's complicated." In the piece, Rabbi Wolpe writes, "Part of the intractability of the conflict in the Middle East is that the Jewish relationship to Israel did not begin in 1948. Our history here, of both pain and holiness, stretches back dozens of generations. Our ancient historical markers, scattered throughout this land, are the tactile expression of Jewish memory, and an ancient spiritual yearning. For thousands of years, Jews in the Diaspora would leave a corner of their homes unpainted, to remind themselves that they were not yet home. They prayed in the direction of Jerusalem. They recited prayers for weather . . . for those in Israel, since we expected at any moment to return."

What we choose to see has to do with our own inner values and core beliefs. In the Parsha, the designated leaders are first told "Latur - literally, to tour the land," followed by, "U'Re'item - See what kind of country it is." By seeing themselves at the outset as mere tourists in someone else's land, the majority were doomed to fail.

At the very end of the Parsha, we read the commandment to wear Tzizit as a reminder of God's Mitzvot. In that description, "U'Re'item - you shall look upon the fringe" precedes "Lo Taturu - literally, you will not be a tourist and thus led astray from your spiritual mission.

We choose what we want to see. I hope and pray that each of us is properly fortified so that we see what truly matters and counts for us as individuals, our family, our community, our homeland, and our world.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Howard Morrison