This week's portion starts with the spies sent by Moshe to

scout out Israel (Canaan)

before the Israelites entered the land.

 

Rabbi Carlebach always said "You have to look at Israel with

Moshiach Eyes

" – eyes of hope love and togetherness!

Somehow the spies missed seeing the beauty there.

 

The Zohar and Kabbala look at the portion as an attempt by some

"leaders"

to keep Israelites focused in the desert – and in the end

that's what happened – but

with all the generation passing away BEFORE they could enter

Israel with their children.

 

Rabbi Silver of Yeshiva Simchat Shlomo (the Sholom Brodt Yeshiva) in Jerusalem

 

Tied the failure of the spies to their

despair of their children succeding to enter the land of Israel.

 

But don't we know today that the potential of our children -

and everyone's children -

is NEAR LIMITLESS?

 

Never give up on children - or anyone! 

 

And if you don't have kids-

Learn how to optimize your own inner child too!

 

As best we can we should look at each person and each situation - and help

 

MAKE THE BEST OF THEM!

 

That is also why Shabbos is such a great gift -

 

it gives us a time and a way to reflect to understand - and to bring people together to try

 

to bring out the Best of the World.

 

Shabbat Shalom

 

Rabbi Andy Eichenholz