Dvar Torah for Parshat Shelach

Based on Likutey Eitzot (Advice), “Land of Israel”, 3–6

The spies who gave a bad report about the Land of Israel were severely punished (Numbers 14:36–37). That in itself should teach us a lesson about criticizing our holy homeland (and our co-religionists!). Here are some selections from Advice, based on Likutey MoHaran I, #20. I have added some comments from here and there. May we all soon see the ingathering of the exiles and the rebuilding of the Promised Land and the Holy Temple, AMEN!

1) To be a true member of the people of Israel is to move always to higher and higher levels. To do this is impossible except through the sanctity of Eretz Yisrael (the Land of Israel). Every upward movement which we ought to make towards holiness can be accomplished only through Eretz Yisrael. The same is true of prayer. The ascent of prayer comes about only in the Land of Israel (20).

"Anyone who considers his ultimate destiny must be careful not to become old and stale, God forbid. Even if he'll be an old tzaddik or an old chassid, he must avoid being old and stale. Even a genuine saint cannot allow himself to become so set in his ways that he no longer rises from level to level...One must never despair of improving the quality of his observance, one must never think that he can't overcome his habits, that he can never change his ways...Start with whatever you can, even if it's just one word of prayer... (Likutey Halakhot, Hilkhot Tefilin 5:7).

The quintessence of Eretz Yisrael is faith—"Dwell in the Land and cultivate faith" (Psalms 37:3). As a result of the power and wholeness of the faith one can attain by being in the Land, one is able to unite our physical world with the spiritual worlds...Being in the Land of Israel is the key to rising from level to level, for his faith brings him to the realization that as much as he may know about God, he really knows nothing at all" (ibid., Hilkhot Nedarim 4:16).

2) It is through the power of the Torah that we draw into ourselves that we can attain the level of Eretz Yisrae. Likewise when we are present at the time that the Tzaddik draws Torah into the world and teaches in public, we ourselves have a share in that Torah lesson that is revealed by the Tzaddik. This also gives us the strength to come to the Land of Israel (20:6).

3) It is impossible to come to the Land of Israel without difficulties and suffering. The root of all the difficulties and suffering lies in the slanderous image of the Land which is spread by the wicked. They are the source of all the obstacles. But the power of the Torah which we draw into ourselves enables us to overcome all the obstacles, the difficulties and suffering. The more profound a person's grasp of the Torah and the greater the tikkun (rectification/fixing) he brings about through his attainment, the greater his victory over the obstacles, and he will succeed in reaching Eretz Yisrael (ibid.).

"[Rebbe Nachman had a perilous journey to Israel.] He then said that we would be able to get to Eretz Yisrael easily...but we should be prepared to suffer and undergo hardship in order to get there...Someone who wants to reach Eretz Yisrael should go there even if he has to go by foot, as our Patriarch was told to do when God said to him, 'Go to the land I will show you' (Genesis 12:1)." (Tzaddik #141)

4) When a person attains the level of the Land of Israel, he is worthy of being called a `man of strength and valor'. However, before he attains this level, `One suiting up for battle ought not to boast; that is for one who has successfully returned' (I Kings, 20:11). But when he has gone through the battle successfully he is worthy of the name `man of war' (20:10).

"After he finished the lesson...I [Reb Noson] asked [Rebbe Nachman], 'What did you mean when you said that Eretz Yisrael is so great, that this is the main victory?' He took me to task for this and answered, 'I meant the Land of Israel, literally, with its houses and apartments'...Even if [one] encounters many obstacles, he should overcome them all and go, because the main victory is getting to the Eretz Yisrael" (ibid.).

agutn Shabbos!
Shabbat Shalom!