Gratitude, Resilience, and Miracles: Timeless Lessons from Parshat Shelach

This past week, we witnessed dramatic events and tremendous miracles here in Eretz Yisrael. These experiences remind us of a deep truth: every moment of life is a precious gift from Hashem. How often do we truly internalize the words of Modim Anachnu Lach—recognizing with full heart the constant goodness Hashem bestows upon us?

This week’s Parsha, Parshat Shelach, opens with one of the most tragic missteps in our history, yet concludes with powerful mitzvot that inspire resilience, gratitude, and unwavering faith. It teaches us to shift perspective, to cultivate Hakarat HaTov, and to strengthen our Emunah—especially during times of challenge.

The Sin of the Spies: A Failure of Gratitude

Parshat Shelach begins with Moshe Rabbeinu sending twelve of the nation’s greatest leaders to scout the Land of Israel. Despite their spiritual stature, this mission ultimately led to the doom of an entire generation, laying the foundation for our long exile and the eventual destruction of the Beit HaMikdash.

Hashem’s decree was harsh: “You cried one night (on Tisha B’Av, when the spies returned with their negative report); therefore, you will cry throughout history” (Rashi on Bamidbar 13:25).

Where did they go wrong?

Moshe charged the spies to witness a “land flowing with milk and honey” (Bamidbar 13:27). This phrase holds deep spiritual meaning:

• Milk (חלב): Produced purely, symbolizing the obvious goodness and revealed blessings from Hashem.

• Honey (דבש): Created by an impure insect, yet itself pure. It teaches us to extract good even from difficult or seemingly impure circumstances.

Moshe was urging the spies: See the good! Be objective—like the bee, do not let personal fears distort the truth. But instead, they returned saying, “It is a beautiful land… but (אפס) we cannot conquer it” (Bamidbar 13:27-28). That single word “but” negated the good. They focused on fear and personal weakness (“We felt like grasshoppers”—Bamidbar 13:33) instead of recognizing Hashem’s power. It was a profound failure of Hakarat HaTov—acknowledging the good.

Why Was This Sin Worse Than the Golden Calf?

The Sin of the Spies was considered even more destructive than the Sin of the Golden Calf. Why?

• Golden Calf (חטא העגל): A sin of mistaken belief. The people thought Moshe would not return and sought an intermediary. When Moshe did return, they repented quickly.

• Sin of the Spies (חטא המרגלים): A deep-seated flaw in character (middot)—a lack of gratitude and trust in Hashem. The Rambam teaches: changing middot is harder than moving mountains. Despite Hashem’s constant miracles in the desert, they focused only on what they lacked. This despair and ingratitude damaged the nation’s faith far more deeply.

The Torah’s Remedy: Gratitude in Daily Life

In response to this national failing, the Torah gives us two daily mitzvot that cultivate gratitude:

1. Mitzvah of Challah (הפרשת חלה)(Bamidbar 15:17-21)When we bake bread and separate a portion for Hashem, we acknowledge that our sustenance is His gift. This daily act of Hakarat HaTov—especially given to women, who nurture faith in the home—reminds us that all our blessings flow from Hashem.

2. Mitzvah of Tzitzit (מצוות ציצית)(Bamidbar 15:37-41)The mitzvah of tzitzit counters the spies’ mistake: “Do not follow after your heart and your eyes” (Bamidbar 15:39).

• White threads: Represent the physical body.

• Techelet (blue thread): Symbolizes the soul’s connection to Hashem. The blue reminds us of the sea, the sky, and the Divine Throne (Menachot 43b).

This teaches us to elevate our perspective—moving from fear to love, from physical to spiritual, from scarcity to abundant gratitude.

Our Times: Modern Miracles and the Power of Gratitude

Today, we are living through times of uncertainty, yet also witness constant miracles. In Eretz Yisrael, rockets miss by millimeters, operations succeed against impossible odds. Could anyone have imagined the IDF operating in such distant places? Hashem reminds us: when we trust Him, when we express heartfelt gratitude, more miracles follow.

From Tragedy to "Todah Rabbah": A Yom Kippur War Miracle

I’m reminded of the moving story from the Yom Kippur War:A young Israeli soldier, burned and blinded, sang through his pain. When doctors offered slim hope, his Moroccan community rallied—raising $150,000 in one day to send him to America for treatment. He regained partial sight. When the surgeon later visited Israel, the entire village came to the airport with a huge sign: “Todah Rabbah—we can never thank you enough.”

This is true Hakarat HaTov—seeing the good, sharing the joy, and recognizing that we are one family. Such gratitude invites Hashem’s blessings to multiply.

A Blessing for Us All

May we learn from Parshat Shelach to open our eyes to the good around us. May we cultivate gratitude, strengthen our faith, and merit endless blessings—for ourselves, for our families, and for all of Am Yisrael.

Wishing you a peaceful, safe, and uplifting Shabbat from Yerushalayim.