This Shabbat, as we read from the Book of Deuteronomy, we hear Moses’ retelling of the Israelites’ exploits in the wilderness, including the tale of the spies. Moses recalls how the Israelites, fearful of Canaan’s inhabitants, rebel against Moses and threaten to return to Egypt. In exchange, God decrees that an entire Israelite generation must perish in the wilderness.
Why does Moses return to this harrowing tale so quickly?
The story serves to justify Moses’ sermons on the banks of the Jordan that comprise the book of Deuteronomy. This generation of Israelites experienced neither redemption nor revelation, so Moses’ words are invaluable to them.
In addition, the tale reinforces an essential lesson that the Israelites must bear in mind as they endeavor to conquer the land, the need to overcome their fears. Though our fears serve the fundamental purpose of helping us identify and avoid dangers, fear also restricts our decisions. When we are afraid, we often see only three choices: fight, flee, or freeze.
When the Israelites are overcome with fear of Canaan’s guardians, they see few available options, and so, they rebel. By revisiting this story so early in his sermon to the next Israelite generation, Moses emphasizes the dangers of making lasting choices out of fear.
We, too, face similar circumstances. Confronted daily by news and social media posts often designed to evoke our worst fears, we, too, must determine how to overcome our fears prior to making lasting choices. We must draw upon our values, not our fears, to guide the speech we use, the messages we share and teach, and ultimately the actions we take to shape our communities and our world.
— Rabbi Josh Knobel