1. The Miraglim: Leaders Who Faltered
We began learning Parshas Shlach, focusing on the episode of the miraglim—the spies sent to scout Eretz Yisrael. This story raises a fundamental question: what went wrong? The miraglim were not ordinary people; they were distinguished leaders who had just witnessed extraordinary miracles. Moshe Rabbeinu had taken them out of Mitzrayim, split the sea, and provided them with man—the miraculous manna—and water from the Well of Miriam. Their lives were filled with open miracles, yet suddenly they declared, “We cannot go up to Eretz Yisrael.” How could their faith collapse so quickly after all they had experienced?
This question perplexes all the meforshim—the commentators. If even the inhabitants of Canaan were terrified, as we see in Shiras HaYam, where it says “namoigu kol yoshvei Kena’an”—all the dwellers of Canaan melted away in fear—why did Bnei Yisrael hesitate? And not just the leaders, but the entire nation seemed to accept their report and follow them.
2. Recognizing Miracles in Our Lives
The episode teaches us about our own perception of miracles. Sometimes we say our lives are full of miracles, but we don’t always recognize them. The daily blessings—paying our bills, having nachas from our children, enjoying good health—are often taken for granted. Yet these are also interventions of Hashem, His miraculous ways ensuring our well-being.
There are times when Hashem’s miracles are obvious and earth-shattering: the man, the splitting of the sea, or being taken out of Mitzrayim. Everyone can see those miracles clearly. For example, after the Six Day War, when Israel was surrounded by Arab armies and emerged victorious in six days, it was universally recognized as a miracle. Later on, people tried to explain it naturally—better trained soldiers or superior equipment—but at first everyone was in awe.
Similarly, during the Persian Gulf War, when Scud missiles fell and miraculously caused minimal casualties among Jews—even though one missile that hit an American base killed 200 soldiers—it was almost an open miracle. Even today, despite tragic incidents in Eretz Yisrael or elsewhere in the world, we still see Hashem’s protection manifesting itself.
3. The Tension Between Nature and Miracle
Despite these clear miracles, most of life seems to run according to nature. We often face a disconnect between recognizing Hashem’s hand and attributing events to natural causes. We might say life is miraculous because we see Hashem’s intervention, but at other times we attribute everything to natural processes—we work hard, make hishtadlut—our own efforts—and think that is what brings results.
This tension between miracle (nais) and nature (teva) is at the heart of what went wrong with the miraglim. They lived through a period where everything was supernatural—their journey through the desert was filled with open miracles—but entering Eretz Yisrael meant transitioning to a life governed by nature: no more man, no more water from Miriam’s well. They would have to plant and harvest like everyone else.
4. Fear of Spiritual Descent in Eretz Yisrael
One spiritual explanation for why Bnei Yisrael hesitated to enter Eretz Yisrael is that they feared losing their miraculous existence in favor of a mundane life filled with physical concerns. In the desert they enjoyed a “kollel life”—all their needs provided for so they could focus on Torah study without distraction.
In Eretz Yisrael this would end; they would have to work hard and engage with physical reality. It would be much harder to perceive Hashem’s miracles within nature than it was during their time in the desert.
5. Integrating Effort and Faith: Lessons from Yehoshua and Kalev
The challenge is learning how to live within nature while still recognizing Hashem’s hand behind everything—a lesson Yehoshua and Kalev tried to teach Bnei Yisrael. When they argued against the other spies’ report, they didn’t simply point to past miracles as proof that Hashem could help them now; those were supernatural events that didn’t necessarily apply once Bnei Yisrael entered a natural mode of existence.
Instead, Yehoshua and Kalev declared “aloh na’aleh—we shall surely ascend,” emphasizing that even within nature there are hidden miracles—nissim nistarim. The real challenge is maintaining trust (betochen) and faith (emunah) that Hashem continues to guide us even when His presence isn’t openly revealed.
6. Applying These Lessons Today: Trust Amidst Nature
In our own lives we rarely see earth-shattering miracles; most days seem ordinary and governed by natural law. Yet we must cultivate full trust in Hashem—that He runs everything with kindness and continues to bless us both through natural means and through open miracles when necessary.
Our job is to make a proper keili—a vessel for blessing—through effort and responsibility while recognizing that success ultimately comes from Hashem’s bracha within nature itself.
7. Yearning for Redemption Through Miracles Both Hidden and Revealed
We hope that soon we will merit an open miracle—the coming of Mashiach tzidkeinu bimheira v’yameinu emainu amein.—our righteous redeemer speedily in our days—when all will recognize both hidden and revealed miracles as expressions of Hashem’s ultimate kindness.