Parshas Shelach 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
סלח נא לעון העם הזה כגדל חסדך ... ויאמר ה' סלחתי כדברך ... (יד-יט,כ)
After Klal Yisrael cried over the prospect of entering Eretz Yisrael, Hashem declared that this would become a "בכיה לדורות". Yet, this raises an obvious question. When the nation eventually entered the land under Yehoshua, they did in fact wage wars, conquer cities, and even struggled against certain strongholds. If so, what was wrong with sending spies? Doesn’t every military campaign require preparation and intelligence gathering? A second difficulty emerges in Sefer Devarim. When Moshe Rabbeinu recounts the episode, he says, “Hashem was angry with me as well because of you,” decreeing that he would not enter the land. Where do we find Moshe being punished as a result of the sin of the spies?
The Malbim offers a remarkable perspective. Originally, Hashem’s plan was for Klal Yisroel to enter Eretz Yisroel under Moshe Rabbeinu, who would immediately build the Bais HaMikdash. In that reality, the purpose of creation would reach its completion. There would be no future exile, nor the long process of history leading toward the ultimate geula. However, the nation’s lack of emunah revealed that they were not yet ready for such a destiny and it was decreed that they would perish in the wilderness. Moshe davened on their behalf, and Hashem accepted his tefillah. To do so, the world’s purpose would now change. Klal Yisroel would defeat their enemies naturally guided by Yehoshua. The Bais HaMikdash would eventually be destroyed, and galus became part of the Divine plan. Why? So that the entire world could come to recognize Hashem. Through centuries of exile and Kiddush Hashem, the nations would be introduced to the Jewish nation and witness the unique relationship between Hashem and His people. The future geula would ultimately rectify not only Klal Yisroel, but all humanity.
Had Moshe entered the land, the original plan would have remained intact. His personal sacrifice became part of saving the nation. The lessons are profound: the selflessness of a true leader, our mission to bring awareness of Hashem into the world, and the extraordinary love Hashem has for His children, even reshaping the course of history so that Klal Yisroel would endure.