1. The Meraglim and the Forty Years in the Desert
In today’s Parsha, we learn about the second portion of Parshas Shelach, which unfortunately relates to the story of the meraglim—the scouters who went to scout out the land of Eretz Yisrael. They returned with a negative report and dissuaded the Jewish people from entering the land. As a result, Bnei Yisrael lingered in the desert for forty years, corresponding to the forty days it took the meraglim to scout out Eretz Yisrael—one year for each day.
Rashi points out that Hashem caused the spies to travel miraculously quickly so they could cover the entire land in just forty days. This was a large area, and going there and back in such a short time was only possible through a miracle. The reason for this, Rashi explains, is that Hashem wanted to limit their punishment; if it had taken them half a year, then Bnei Yisrael would have had to wander in the desert for many more years. By making their journey quick, Hashem ensured that their punishment would be limited to forty years.
2. The Significance of the Number Forty
This leads to an interesting question: why did Hashem make it specifically forty days? If He wanted to minimize their punishment, He could have made it twenty days or even ten days. What is unique about forty?
The number forty is significant because, as Rashi later explains, all those between twenty and sixty years old were included in those who passed away during these forty years. Twenty is considered the age at which one becomes liable for heavenly punishment, so those between twenty and sixty comprised that generation which did not merit to enter Eretz Yisrael.
3. The Challenge of Entering Eretz Yisrael
When we consider what Bnei Yisrael faced, it becomes easier to understand why they hesitated to enter Eretz Yisrael. Logically, entering required waging war against powerful nations; it was not like leaving Mitzrayim where Hashem performed miracles and drove out the Egyptians while Bnei Yisrael sat safely in Goshen. In Canaan, most nations did not simply flee—battles had to be fought.
Bnei Yisrael were coming from Mitzrayim with Hashem’s promise but were afraid because conquering Eretz Yisrael would not be easy. Even today we see parallels: despite miraculous gifts of land in modern Israel, many are reluctant to fight for it and are willing to give away parts rather than face conflict. It is easy for those outside Israel to give advice, but even within Israel there are those who struggle with this challenge.
4. The Power of Public Opinion and Misinterpretation
The episode shows how easily public opinion can be swayed. Initially everyone was excited about entering Eretz Yisrael and sent righteous representatives as scouts—as Rashi says at the beginning—but when they returned, their perspective changed due to fear and intellectual rationalization.
The meraglim misinterpreted events: Hashem arranged many burials during their visit so people would be distracted and not notice them, but they saw this as a bad omen rather than divine protection. Similarly, they saw huge fruits as evidence of something strange or dangerous instead of seeing them as signs of abundance and blessing.
5. Lessons for Holding On to Eretz Yisrael
If Hashem says we can do something—if He commands us regarding Eretz Yisrael—then we must do what it takes even if it requires sacrifice or battle. Because Bnei Yisrael hesitated at this crucial moment, only the next generation merited entry into Eretz Yisrael.
The lesson is clear: sometimes holding on to Eretz Yisrael requires effort and sacrifice. This applies both physically and spiritually—each person has their own “Eretz Yisrael” within themselves: striving for holiness by leaving behind negativity and reaching higher levels of purity.
6. Creating Eretz Yisrael Wherever We Are
The Rebbe teaches that one can create “Eretz Yisrael” wherever one lives by living a holy life and sanctifying one’s surroundings. When we make our environment holy through Torah and mitzvos, we bring down the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael even outside its physical borders.
May we merit soon the coming of Mashiach who will wage all necessary battles on behalf of Klal Yisrael as promised by our prophets, bringing us all together into our true home in peace and holiness.