Devar/5769/Shelach
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עברית
English
And Caleb stilled the people toward Moses, and said: 'We should go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.' (Num 13:30) But the men that went up with him said: 'We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.' (ibid 31)
Compare these two approaches! Two completely different opinions, reached from precisely the same facts. According to Caleb nothing could stand in the way of the Children of Israel's conquest of the Land. And according to the "congregation", there was no chance whatever of such a conquest.
The reasoning of the congregation was simple: the enemy is stronger than we are and more numerous, and resides in fortifications. From a military perspective is is impossible to wage war against such a strong enemy and win -- it is preferable not to start a war at all. Caleb's reasoning was also simple: God promised us that we will disinherit the residents of the Land, and whatever He says, He does. There is no reason to be concerned, because God is with us.
We see hear the fundamental difference between one who places his faith in God and one who does not. The one who doesn't trust in God knows that everything is on his shoulders, there is no help -- and if he cannot control every angle and force, he has no guarantee of success. Whereas the one who trusts in God knows that he cannot control everything, and that he must trust in the Creator's help, may He be blessed. For were it not for His help, no one would succeed.
And in our own times it is clear as day: we have an enemy who is more numerous than we, who is cruel and strong. He is supported by almost all the nations of the world. And we, a small nation, without friends in the world -- will be able to subdue them? Impossible! Rather, we must rely on God's mercy may He be blessed, and know that God is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: when He hath said, will He not do it? or when He hath spoken, will He not make it good? (Num 23:19)
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