The mraglim were “ma’asu b’eretz chemdah”. They were disgusted with the delightful land that Hashem gave them as a gift. They admitted the benefits of the land, but still, did not love the gift of Hashem enough to overcome their fears.
To give an example, many people are afraid of marriage. There are many potential conflicts, so many risks involved. But sometimes, when we meet the right one, the love is so intense and so deep, that we feel that nothing, not even death itself, can stand in the way of our love.
That was the sin of the M’raglim. Of course there were risks. The Cna’anim were strong. The spys reported that the people were mysteriously dying, according to Chazal. But, as with any strong relationship, even faults are seen as cute. The Jewish nation did not yet have that deep trust in Hashem to ignore all of their fears and fall into the embrace of Hashem in His own palace.
“Yerushalayim is surrounded by mountains, and Hashem surrounds His people.”
If you stand in Ir David, on the spot of the one who said these words, you can see two mountains coming round as if in an embrace of Yerushalayim and the Jewish people.
There is no place like home.
Sometimes, you feel that love, so you move to the Holy Land, but sometimes you must first move to feel the love.
It may not be easy, and there may be many seemingly valid reasons. Efes ki az ha’am hayoshev ba’aretz! The people are strong! It’s dangerous!
But there are many reasons not to marry your bashert.
No rabbi will force you to marry.
It must come from the heart.
Menu