Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, “when you arrive in the Land of your dwelling place which I am giving you…” (Bamidbar 15:2)

This week’s parsha contains the episode of the Meraglim. Twelve spies are sent to Eretz Yisrael and ten of them return with a negative report. Many of the Jews begin to panic and we were given a strict punishment: we are to walk in the desert for 40 years before we will be able to enter Eretz Yisrael. Also, the 600,000 men between the ages of 20 and 60 will die in the desert.

After this episode, the Torah discusses specific laws of offerings and libations that can only be fulfilled when the Jews are living in Eretz Yisrael. Why are these offerings mentioned at this exact point in the Torah?

The commentators explain that the Jews felt hopeless, even the ones who were not told they would die in the desert. Forty years is a long time, especially to get to the goal they were striving for. They wanted to give up. But at this point, Hashem began teaching the laws that could only be fulfilled in Eretz Yisrael. This was to remind them that although it looks dark now, the times will get better and they will eventually enter the Holy Land. Don’t give up!

Once, a king decided to hold a competition. He built a huge castle with over a million stairs. The competitors were told that the first person to make it to the top of the stairs would be rewarded with treasures full of gold and gems worth millions of dollars. The competition would begin at sunset and the competitors had until sunrise to make it to the top. Thousands of people showed up to take part in the competition.

After a few hours, most of the competitors dropped out. They were tired and felt they would never reach the top. Around midnight, there were about two hundred people left. By 4am, there were under 10 competitors left. About 30 minutes before sunrise, there were only 3 competitors left, but they had only climbed a few thousand stairs. They were still far, far away from the top. Two of the competitors decided this was a waste of time. The whole competition was probably a big joke and they’re going to laugh at anyone who is still involved in the competition at sunrise. Therefore, they left the competition. One person was left and he had a long distance to go in a short amount of time.

The clock was ticking down and there was only one minute left. The competitor wondered if he should have given up like the others when a door opened in front of him. It was an express elevator. He jumped in and a few seconds before sunrise, he reached the top and received his reward!

Many people look at the obstacles in front of them and think, “it is impossible.” We are reminded in this week’s parsha not to give up. Although forty years is a long time to wait and many bad things could possibly occur, don’t give up. Hashem reminds the Jews to keep doing what you are supposed to do and you will get the reward of entering Eretz Yisrael.

This is a powerful message to us. We have been in exile for almost 2,000 years. Some wonder, “will it ever end? Why not just give up and throw everything away?” The answer is don’t give up!

There was a hockey team which finished in eighth place in their conference (only eight teams from each conference make the playoffs). They barely even made the post season play and in the first round they were up against the best team in the conference. They tried their hardest and after two months, this past Monday night they lifted the Stanley Cup above their heads (that means they finished number 1). They did not give up and neither should we. Although it might look hopeless, it is not! The ultimate reward is just around the corner.

Good Shabbos!
-yes
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