Parshat Shalach, this week's Parashat, contains one of the biggest tragedies of our nation. The spies, the greatest individuals from each tribe, the cream of crop, returned from Eretz Yisrael on the ninth of Av with a terribly negative report regarding the land.
When Klal Yisrael heard their report, they began to cry. The Gemara in Taanit says that because they cried for no reason, HaShem said that he will designate this day as a day of crying for all generations. All the tragedies that have befallen our people on Tisha B'Av are a direct outcome of the spies.
There is a lot to discuss and to learn deeply about this episode. With your permission, I would like to focus on the argument between the ten tribe leaders and Yehoshua and Kalev.
Kalev said "עלה נעלה," "We will surely overcome it."
Klal Yisrael responded, "לא נוכל לעלות-" "We cannot overcome them, they are stronger than us."
The Kli Yakar explains that the argument was in two ways. The first argument was about the abilities of HaShem. Kalev says that HaShem can do anything and everything, and if He will help us, we will surely succeed. This is just as Rashi says, that even if HaShem asks us to make ladders to climb up all the way to heaven, we should do it and we will be successful.
The spies' response to this is that G-d cannot do it, because it is too difficult for Him, as Rashi explains. The second argument is how they could win the fight against the Canaanites. Kalev says that they could win by improving themselves spiritually, and by removing any stubbornness in our hearts. The ten spies responded that they don't want to change themselves and they want to leave everything for G-d, because He is a merciful G-d. In other words, they didn't want to do anything on their part, because they didn't trust in themselves.
From this we learn that we cannot only trust in HaShem and not do anything, and we also cannot only trust in ourselves and not trust in HaShem. There needs to be a healthy balance of trusting in HaShem and Hishtadlut.
What is really surprising is that Moshe Rabbeinu also used the same words when Am Yisrael complained bitterly that they want to eat meat. The answer that HaShem gave him was, "If I give you a challenge, that means you have the power to complete this mission. And, if you feel you can't do it, it's only because you're not aware of your hidden power."
Thank G-d, this week, we are celebrating the graduation of many of our children. They are all wonderful and talented, and I'm sure that they will all succeed in their next level of learning. But, sometimes it will be difficult, and we should remember that even Moshe Rabeinu had tough times. HaShem told him that he can do it, and as we said in this week's Parasha, "עלה נעלה כי יכול נוכל לה."
From the depths of my heart, I wish you much Hatzlacha in all of your endeavors, and your parents shall receive only Nachat from you.
Rabbi Eliyahu Tal