Parashat Shelach

Recognizing Life’s Opportunities

By Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky
Rav of Congregation K.I.N.S. of West Rogers Park, Chicago, Illinois

“Speak to the Jewish people and have them make tzitzit on the corners of their garments... and when you see them, you shall remember all of God's commandments so as to keep them.” (Numbers 15:38-39)

The dominant theme of this week's Torah portion of Shlach deals with the twelve spies’ mission to scrutinize the land of Canaan. Although quite dangerous, it was what the people wanted. Moses sent twelve outstanding men – the prince of each tribe – to scout the terrain and help plan the attack on the armies that would try to prevent the Jewish people from putting down roots in the land. When the spies returned and reported their findings, ten of them "editorialized" and painted a frightening picture, speaking poorly of their chances of victory and casting a compelling doubt on God's plan – a grave sin that led to b’nei Yisrael’s forty-year sojourn in the desert.

The sin of the spies is in essence, a manifestation of a people’s resistance to transition, of a nation's failure to deal with change, preventing them from recognizing the promise of a new land and a new life. And most important, they let their fears stand in the way of their trust in God

Suddenly, at the end of this portion, the Torah "shifts gears" and introduces a second, seemingly unrelated issue, the mitzvah of tzitzit – the commandment to look at the fringes on the corners of our garments, "and to remember all of God's commandments."

What is the connection between the sin of the spies and the mitzvah of tzitzit?

First a story...

Reb Meir was a descendent of the Ba'al Shem Tov, the eminent rabbi who founded Chassidut. He was a man who achieved such heights of sanctity, that it was said that his prayers reached the Heavenly throne and could even overturn a Divine decree.

It is told, that when Reb Meir was a young boy, he desperately wanted to meet Elijah the Prophet. He asked his father, Reb Aharon Leib, "Tateh, how can I meet Elijah?" "Meir'leh," his father responded, "the only way is to learn – to devote your every waking moment to the study of God's Torah."

Meir studied, day and night. Yet, it was to no avail – for Elijah did not appear. "Don't be discouraged," said Reb Aharon Leib to his son. "Continue to devote your every energy to God's Torah and I am sure that Elijah will appear."

One day an old, disheveled beggar knocked on Meir's door, but no one answered. He knocked again and again until Meir at last responded.

"What do you want?" asked Meir, annoyed.

"I've traveled a great distance to come to this town. Perhaps you could spare some food and water for a poor man?"

"I have no time," said Meir. "I have to study God's Torah."

"Please, can I have just a drink of water," pleaded the stranger.

"I said, I have no time," snapped Meir "I am preparing for the arrival of Elijah!" And with that, Meir slammed the door in the beggar's face.

A few moments later, Reb Aharon Leib came running to the house. "Meir'leh, did you see him? Did you greet Elijah?"

"No," said Meir, "no one came to the house except an old beggar."

"That was no beggar, Meir. It was Elijah – the one you prayed for all of these months. Oy, Meir! You’ve lost your opportunity to meet Elijah the Prophet – and now there is nothing more you can do."

While there may be many lessons we can learn from this story, perhaps the most important is that each of us in life is granted precious opportunities. Recognizing them is one of the greatest challenges we face. Will we seize the moment, open the door and let these wonderful, potential-filled chances in? Or will we, God forbid, ignore them, slam the door and lose our moment of glory?

Meir had the opportunity to greet Elijah – standing right before him, but all he could see was an old beggar. The spies had the opportunity to see a land flowing with milk and honey, but all they allowed entrance to their resistant field of vision were threatening giants and fortresses.

What was the Torah's response to this hindrance in perception? The mitzvah of tzitzit.

The mitzvah that demands that "…you see them," and then "…you shall remember all of God's commandments so as to keep them." The Torah gave us the mitzvah of tzitzit as an atonement for the sin of the spies. The mitzvah of tzitzit serves as a constant opportunity for us to learn from the spies’ tragic mistake, and truly see the opportunities of life.

May we each learn that lesson well!

Rabbi Leonard A. Matanky, Ph.D.
Associate Superintendent, Associated Talmud Torahs of Chicago Dean, Ida Crown Jewish Academy
2828 West Pratt Blvd. * Chicago, IL 60645 773/973-1450 * FAX 773/973-6131

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