The episode of the spies, which we read in this week’s Torah portion, is one of the most enigmatic in the Torah.

On the one hand we are assured that the spies were men of stature, fit for the task that lay ahead. After all, it was Moshe who sent them on their mission.

On the other, they dashed the hopes and dreams of their entire generation.

What went wrong?

In one of his insightful talks, the Lubavitcher Rebbe points out that, throughout the parasha, those we refer to as “spies” (in Hebrew “meraglim”) were not once referred to as such. The word used to describe their mission is “vayaturu”, “latur”, etc. – which comes from the root meaning “to see” – the same as the Modern Hebrew word for tourist – “Tayar”.

Moses’ intention in sending them on their mission was not to ascertain the viability of conquest. After all G-d Himself had already assured them of this. He had told them from the outset that His purpose in taking them from Egypt was to bring them to the Promised Land. Rather Moses’ intention was twofold: (a) to confirm for the people (Jews are always skeptical!) the outstanding productivity of the Land and (b) so that he, as Commander in Chief, could plan its conquest. All they had to do was to enter it with all the interest and enthusiasm of tourists going on a grand tour and bring him back the travelogue that he had requested.

They were good men and that is why they were chosen. But, as so often happens when people don the uniform, they began taking themselves all too seriously. Instead of “tourists” they became “spies”. Spies don’t only take beautiful photos of people and scenery. They use disguises, speak in code, and write with invisible ink. They rely very heavily on their own ingenuity and resourcefulness.

Now in principle there should be nothing wrong with this. After all, they believed that through this form of activity they would better fulfill their mission of reporting to Moses and thereby help him plan his strategy of conquest.

But in spite of their best intentions, this was not what they were asked to do. From Moses' perspective a “tourist” view was all that was needed. The rest should be left to him.

Once they deviated from their original mission, arrogating to themselves far greater responsibility than was given, it was only a matter of time before they became self-appointed experts on the conquest itself. Soon they were advising against it in spite of their experience with G-d’s miraculous intervention in Egypt and His promise to do the same for them in the Promised Land.

Of the two “spies” who fulfilled their mission in the manner expected of them was Joshua, who was later to become Moses’ successor. In contrast to the other spies, what does the Torah describe as Joshua’s greatest quality? “He never moved from (Moses’) tent”. Certainly Joshua was a great strategist himself – it was he after all who actually conquered the Land of Israel. But during Moses’ lifetime he was not heard from. His entire focus was to be at his master’s side, ready to do his bidding. A man with such self-effacement was the one deemed to be Moses’ heir.

And herein lies a very powerful lesson for each of us. What makes us unique as human beings is our intelligence. But when given a specific mission by G-d, it is not for us to decide on its viability, or even to decide on a “better” method of implementation. There have throughout our history been many reformers with ideas “modern” for their time, and certainly many were good people who had the best of intentions. In the end however all deviations from G-d’s plans lead to failure – as we say in our daily prayers: “Many are the thoughts of Man, but it is G-d’s idea that will prevail”.

We must use our ingenuity to fulfill G-d’s mission in the manner that we have been instructed, and without deviation.

Intelligence is our greatest gift. But we must choose to use it wisely, and not become as they say in Yiddish, an “iber-chochom” – someone who is too smart for their own good.

Ultimately, as Joshua, we will see the reward of our labour.

On behalf of Rebbetzen Henya and all of us at South Head best wishes for a Good Shabbos.

Rabbi Benzion Milecki OAM

Paradigm Shift
Begins this week

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We are delighted to welcome many new people to the JLI student body with this our 21st Course commencing this week.

This course marks the end of seven years of JLI at South Head .. 180 classes given to a cumulative audience of some 250 people.

Looking forward to greeting everyone on Monday evening and Tuesday morning.

"...there have been few in the entire history of one of the oldest peoples in the world who in one lifetime made their influence felt throughout the entire Jewish world. . . . The Rebbe was one of the immortals." Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks

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Brookie Reports

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This past Shavuot was one of the most spectacular Shavuot events South Head Synagogue Youth has ever seen! 275 children and their parents came to celebrate the giving of the Torah.

The program started off in the main Shule where the children, together with the adults listened to the reading of the Ten Commandments, after which two children were chosen by Rabbi Milecki to recite two Torah passages. As they recited the Torah passages, the entire congregation, children and adults repeated after them.

The younger children were then treated to a Shavuot Puppet show by Puppetoons while the older children enjoyed a soccer tournament. Then all children created their own edible Mrt Sinai ice creams!

The program concluded with the children going into Shule to be blessed by the Kohanim (Priests). The Shavuot children's program was enjoyed by all children, with many children and parents commenting on just how much they enjoyed themselves.

Looking forward to seeing you in Shule and wishing you Good Shabbos.

Brookie & the Youth Crew 

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Camp Shalom bookings are coming in fast! Our generous early bird discount rate ends THIS SUNDAY. So if you haven’t booked yet, do it before Sunday in order to secure yourself the early bird rate! Click here for more details and to book.

 

 

 

Embody and to celebrate the "brit" (covenant) between God and the Jewish people as 

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World Cup Fever 
Hits South Head

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This week's Youth Minyan has something very special in store [ apart from our amazing davening of course!] ... At the Kiddush after Mussaf  (10.45am) everyone will have the chance to enter the South Head World Cup Sweepstake. 

All kids will pick out one team, and whoever has the winning team at the end of the tournament, will receive a $25 cash prize. 

Good Luck!!

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South Head Special Event

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The Rabbi & Board of South Head Synagogue invites you to join us at the Kiddush this Shabbat to say thank you and farewell to our Bochrim, Yacov Harkham and Yisroel Kievman who will be leaving us before the end of June. 

 

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Parasha Sheet
Shelach

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The Parasha this weeks relates the story of Moshe sending spies to explore the Land of Israel before the entry of the Jewish people. The spies returned with a frightening report which caused the Jewish people to not want to enter the holy land. As a result Hashem punished the Jewish people by granting them their wish: the Jewish people would not enter the land at this present time. Rather, they would wander in the desert for forty years.

Q. Moshe handpicked the spies. The Torah describes these men as men of wisdom and spiritual stature. These were men of faith and understanding. They were righteous men and wise men. How could such people commit such an error? Read more...

Download the Parasha Sheet.

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The Moshiach Times
Rabbi Dr. Dovid Shalom Pape

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Children, said the Rebbe, are the “Army of G-d,” Tzivos Hashem. They have pure hearts which are free of sin, and they will lead the Jewish People in welcoming the Moshiach... Read more...

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The Strange Case of the Stick Gatherer
After Kiddush Shabbat Shiur

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Join us in the Herbert Hall straight after Kiddush and learn some real lessons from the Bible's mysterious dissident.

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