The Moses Affect
How many things need to go right for us to wake up in the morning?
How many things need to go right for us to make it safely to work?
How many things need to go right for us to be successful at our endeavors?
Where indeed do we draw the power to navigate life successfully, to live a spiritually purposeful and connect life?
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We are introduced to a profound idea from this week’s Torah portion. The Jews approach Moses asking to send spies into Israel to see if they will be able to conquer the land. Moses asks G-d whether He is in support of this spy mission. G-d tells Moses to do as he saw fit; “send for yourself, as you think it”.
Does that sound like an approval or a sanctioning? It sounds passive to me (which is not G-d’s style) at best, but not an encouragement to say the least. And yet, Moses sends the spies, why?
In fact, we can see from the negative report and outcome of 10 of the 12 that G-d’s lack of enthusiasm perhaps should have been a strong sign to Moses, so why indeed did Moses send the spies?
In a profound discourse, the Rebbe – who’s 25th yurzeit is blessed from this Shabbos – says that Moses saw something that the spies didn’t see and he wished to empower them.
The Jews of the desert were spiritually removed from the physicality of the land of Israel. Having experienced the Divine Revelation at Sinai, they had entered into a blissful state surrounded by the Cloud of Glory, studying Torah each day with Moses, Aaron and the 70 Elders, doesn’t get better than that.
But Moses saw that the greatest spiritual state is one that is integrated into the physical. The greatest dimensions of G-d are found in the most physical of spaces. While the spies were not expected to naturally appreciate that, had they had the appropriate dedication to Moses they would have been empowered to carry that message forward.
Joshua and Caleb who did possess that dedication, maintained the message and mission that Moses had sent them for and ultimately Joshua led the Jewish People into the land at the end of the 40 desert years.
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Where indeed do we draw the power to navigate life successfully, to live a spiritually purposeful and connected life?
The answer is from our Jewish leaders. Both in a very practical manner and on a spiritual manner. When we look at our leaders and see how they live their lives in dedication to Hashem but integrated into the world we are inspired to be more connected and more integrated.
Even more profoundly on a spiritual level they give off their spiritual energy to empower us to be successful. What is asked of us is to be dedicated to them and the mission we were sent to accomplish.
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In our times, in our complex and sometimes very complicated world, the Rebbe was and continues to be an inspiration to navigate our Jewish journey and our relationship with Hashem. Through remaining dedicated to the Moses of our time, reading about the Rebbe and being inspired by his example and through recognizing the spiritual energy that is transmitted to each of us to empower us to be successful in navigating each day in our relationship with Hashem and our purpose on this earth, we can and will be successful.
My blessings to you and your loved ones for a Good Shabbos!
(Please see these events in the Rebbe’s honor, Musical Quartet this Sunday, Community Dinner next Shabbos, Rabbi’s Goldstein and Telushkin on July 24 and Soul Trek September 18)
