Dvar Torah for Parshat Sh'lach

Based on Likutey Halakhot, Hilkhot Birkhot HaReiach 5:7

You've probably wondered why it is sometimes so difficult to become a better; to be more observant or to feel more of the sweetness of the mitvot. That's what G-d wants, too. Why does He make it so difficult? The Rebbe tells us that the more important something is to a person's Jewishness, the more obstacles he will encounter in his path to achieving it. G-d does want you to have it. But He wants you to really want it.That is the function of the obstacles: to arouse your desire for the goal of holiness you're striving for to such a degree that you'll succeed.

The Rebbe likens this to dangling something interesting in front of a child him and not giving to him. The child will start to run after the person in order to get that thing. (If you don't have much experience with children, believe me: it's true!)

Reb Noson relates this teaching to the sin of the spies.

[The spies reported that the Land of Israel] is indeed flowing with milk and honey. Look at some of its fruit [that we brought back]. However, its inhabitants are fierce, the cities large and well fortified. There are even giants among them!... [Caleb responsed,] "Even so! If we go up we will certainly overcome them!" "No we cannot!" the spies retorted. "These people are much stronger than we!" (Numbers 13:27-31)

The Rebbe has taught us that our longing for a holy goal has to match the obstacles we face. This ability to continually nurture and strengthen our yearning for holiness is a product of EReTz (the Land) of Israel. This is evidenced by the similarity between the word eReTz and the word RaTzon (desire). The ratzon stems from Eretz Yisrael because G-dliness is more readily felt there.

This was the spies' mistake. Although they well appreciated the holiness inherent to the Land, they felt the obstacles surrounding it were insurmountable. The land is flowing with milk and honey and does produce wonderfully large and delicious fruits (metaphors for the spiritual gains to be had by being in the Land). But the people there are fierce and aggressive, determined to keep us out. They may have treasures in their cities, but the cities are impregnable. And the giants could crush us like ants! There's no way we can succeed.

The result of such thinking was crying over nothing, a crying that was the underlying cause of the destruction of both the first and second Temple. Therefore, we must respond to all challenges and obstacles as did Caleb: We can go up, we can succeed. Even if we have to build ladders up to the sky, we can do it, if we want Eretz Yisrael, holiness, strongly enough. Amen.

Shabbat Shalom!