It is important that we up our minds each moment which way we are going to go. Choosing the way means listening deeply for where our heart soul and mind are one.
There is only one place there can ever be and that is Hashem. We are here as instruments of the Divine will and as such we are given great latitude. We make mistakes and are forgiven.
Sometimes we overcome the greatest of odds all because our trust is in Hashem not just to guide us and show us the way but to actually become of a part of that way by living through us.
In this week's Torah portion Shelach (send out or send forth) the 'spies' are sent to discover the land that Hashem is about to give to Israel; the land rich in milk and honey. What they do find is indeed a land of milk and honey but it is also a land inhabited that they will also have to conquer as they venture into it.
Their initial report confirms the abundance of the land and except for Joshua and Caleb of the original thirteen who scouted for forty days, the others give negative reports about how formidable the peoples are that they will have to contend with. The initial report focuses on how ill matched they are to take these lands. Then Caleb speaks up.
Bamidbar 13: 30. Caleb silenced the people to [hear about] Moses, and he said, "We can surely go up and take possession of it, for we can indeed overcome it."
Here is a chance for Israel to take heart and remember Hashem and all the many wonders that have been performed in their name. Instead the other leaders speak up and reiterate their fears concerning walking into this land. They spread this fear throughout the camp so that the entire camp starts complaining wishing they had died in Egypt rather than be slain by the sword.
The people even go so far as to want to appoint a leader that will take them back to Egypt.
Once again Caleb this time joined by Joshua steps up to remind the people that Hashem will be with them.
Bamidbar 14:7. They spoke to the entire congregation of the children of Israel, saying, "The land we passed through to scout is an exceedingly good land. 9. But you shall not rebel against the Lord, and you will not fear the people of that land for they are [as] our bread. Their protection is removed from them, and the Lord is with us; do not fear them."
The people threaten to stone Caleb and Joshua. This is the last straw for Hashem who tells Moshe that he will destroy this people and make another nation through. Moshe intercedes with Hashem and save the people from immediate death although they will all be doomed to die in the desert and never see the Promised Land. Their children, however, will after forty years of wandering be permitted to go where their ancestors could not venture.
All of the leaders are destroyed by a plague and the people figuring they have to make amends decide that they will indeed go into the Promised Land despite Moshe's call for them to heed Hashem and not enter the land because they will be defeated. The people enter and are defeated and the remnants are then marched back into the desert.
Somehow after countless miracles on their behalf the people still act on the basis of fear disregarding completely the idea that Hashem is with them always.
Imagine that you are in a room by yourself at peace when suddenly a group of people start talking about how terrible things are. You try not to listen but are swayed by their negativity so that when all of you leave the room to go into another room where a contented person sits you do not even realize that you have become a part of something that ten minutes ago had not crossed your mind.
What must have happened is this. When you have relationship with Hashem it is a personal relationship as a son to father. The people witnessed these miracles but did not put together that what was done was for them and not just because Moshe came and asked for all of these wonders that were shown. Because of this whenever a strong personality came along they were able to be swayed.
What the people followed was mass opinion and a reaction to their fears. The lesson for us is to never let go of our personal relationship with Hashem and to remember all of those times when things looked grim and somehow we survived and even thrived.
Tehilim: 34:15 But as for me, I have trusted in Thee, O LORD; I have said: 'Thou art my God.'
Hashem is always the answer continuously throughout the generations. All we have to do is to remember this and everything will be taken care for good. The next chance you have to make a choice choose Hashem.
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