Shelach

אִם־אַתֶּם֙ תָּבֹ֣אוּ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נָשָׂ֙אתִי֙ אֶת־יָדִ֔י לְשַׁכֵּ֥ן אֶתְכֶ֖ם בָּ֑הּ
None shall enter the land in which I swore to settle you

 – Numbers 14:30 Shelach

There is so much drama in Parashat Shelach. It is curious that even though the people are told they that their generation will not enter into the land, God tells the Israelites that when they enter the Land, they are to bring offerings made of grain, oil, and wine. Their future seems shattered and yet God immediately speaks about what life will look like there.

Judaism always insists on speaking about the future, even when we are disappointed, discouraged, or uncertain. We are commanded not to give up imagining what comes next.

The Torah could have ended the conversation with punishment. Instead, it turns toward hope. It reminds the people that while some dreams may not unfold as expected and still God’s covenant continues. There will still be harvests. There will still be celebrations. There will still be generations who carry the story forward.

That may be one of the greatest lessons of Shelach: never let disappointment have the final word. The Torah always leaves room for tomorrow.

L’Shalom,

Cantor Paula Baruch