Choosing the Wrong Version of the Event
Adapted from Rabbi Braun’s sermon in 5778
There is one episode that takes place. It happens in the land of Israel. There are arguments made for both sides. The majority of Jews outside of the land of Israel ignore the context of the events and side with the version that is bad for the Jewish people and its connection to the land of Israel.
What event am I talking about? Am I talking about the recent events on the Gaza border? Am I talking about the episode of the spies 3500 years ago? Am I talking about both? Is there a connection between them?
Let’s begin with the spies. The spies complete their mission in the land of Israel and two stories are told. The 10 spies return with a very negative report – the land devours its inhabitants and we are all going to die should we continue. Kalev immediately counters – of course we can succeed. God is with us.
The people’s response is
במדבר פרק יד
(א) וַתִּשָּׂא֙ כָּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה וַֽיִּתְּנ֖וּ אֶת־קוֹלָ֑ם וַיִּבְכּ֥וּ הָעָ֖ם בַּלַּ֥יְלָה הַהֽוּא
They raise their voices and cry! They side with the spies. You have to wonder why!
One piece of the puzzle is highlighted by the Netziv. There are two activities and 2 groups of people referred to in that verse. The Edah raises its voice and the nation cries at night.
The Netziv suggests that it is impossible that all 600,000 men came together to hear the spies report. Rather it was the Edah, the leaders of the people who first heard from the spies and they then took that report and shared it with the people near their tents and it made its way around…
No one in the desert was there and then a handful of influential leaders choose what information is disseminated and how it is disseminated.
While that it is a piece of the puzzle, I don’t think that it is sufficient to explain the people’s response and the choice that they make. In siding with the spies, they choose to ignore the context of the events that are transpiring and you have to wonder why!
They had just witnessed the plagues and the splitting of the sea. Then they saw the revelation at Sinai, while chomping on the Mannah. Why ignore all of that and believe that the mission is doomed to fail?
One can ask the same question today regarding the recent events at the Gaza border. Mortars, rockets, kites ablaze, gunfire etc are directed at Israel on its southern border and it has taken actions to defend itself. OR – the poor peaceful protesters are protesting deplorable conditions caused by the hideous occupying army and are being shot for no good reason.
Let’s stick just with the Jewish community outside of the land of Israel. Why do so many Jews choose the second version, ignoring the context and reality in which the events transpire?
Certainly, the fact that they are not on the ground in Israel is a factor as is the source of the information. But it has to be more than that? They seem predisposed to this version of events and you have to wonder why!
Is there a connection between the two stories?
The Gemara in Taanit (29a) relays God’s response to the people’s reaction. You cried for no reason here, I will give you a reason to cry in the future, namely the destruction of the Batei Mikdash. That is a rather cryptic piece.
Rav Shaul Yisraeli argues that this Gemara cannot be arguing cause and effect. First because that would be wildly unfair given the centuries in between the events, and second because the Gemara gives reasons for the Temples’ destruction and this sin is not one of them.
Rather the Gemara is arguing that there is a common denominator between those events and their underlying causes. And in some sense the sin of the spies becomes the paradigm for future failures.
What is the root cause?
Rav Shaul Yisraeli believes that it is leaving God’s Torah.
The Ramban believes, quoting from Psalms 10/24 that they were וימאסו בארץ חמדה, they were repulsed by the land.. It is caused by a lack of desire for the land and a detachment from the land.
Both are true in the case of the spies, they seemingly did not want the land and certainly ignored God’s specific promise.
And both are true for many of the diaspora Jews who cannot see the truth, they are far from the mitzvoth and detached from the land.
And still, you have to ask – why can’t they see the truth? Even if not connected, why can’t they simply be objective?
Here Rav Shaul suggests that then Jews leave they cannot simply remain neutral or pareve, especially when dealing with the land of Israel. They go from one extreme to the other. The two reactions in the desert were the spies and the Maapilim who went up against God’s will. They were extreme reactions to the opposite pole.
So too today, when they leave their connection to God and the land they shift to the opposite pole, and that predisposes them to accepting terribly negative reports.
Rav Shaul does not source this idea, nor does he explain why he thinks that it is true. Sadly, he seems to hit the nail right on the head. So many Jews in the diaspora have lost their connection to the mitzvoth and to the land. And amongst that segment of the Jewish population acceptance of today’s spy libel is not uncommon. They seem pre-disposed to accept the alternate version of reality.
I can’t explain it either but certainly recognize it as true.
That makes our job even harder and even more important. Our task is twofold. It is to remain committed to Torah, mitzvoth and the land and it is remain committed to the truth and share it as best as we can! Or we can stop being diaspora Jews and make Aliyah!
