G-d does not issue a punishment to bring revenge on the sinner. Rather, the ''punishment'' is a form of spiritual ''medicine'' aimed at correcting the spiritual deficiency caused by a sin.
With this in mind, the ''punishment'' given to the Jewish people here is difficult to understand. Their sin was that they did not wish to enter the Land because they desired to remain in the desert where they could serve G-d without distraction; and yet, their punishment was to receive what they wanted: to remain in the desert [for forty years!] How would this ''correct' their sin of not wanting to enter the Land?
In truth however, the sin of the spies was not that they were too spiritual, but rather they were not spiritual enough. To be involved with the physical world and remain spiritually attuned demands the highest degree of attachment to G-d. So when the generation showed that they were lacking this level of dedication, they were given 40 more years of unrestricted Divine worship, enabling them to reach the level where they would be ready to engage in the world.
Source: Based on Likutei Sichos Vol 33 Lubavitcher Rebbe
The Tanach doesn’t say that the Jewish people “desired to remain in the desert where they could serve G-d without distraction”, quite to the contrary. It is written in Numbers/Bamidbar 14:4: "And they said one to another, Let us make a captain, and let us return into Egypt". G’d didn’t send them back to desert to worship Him but to decidir there (Num 14:29): "Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me”.
ReplyDeleteThis text goes against the p’shat meaning of the Tanach so I wonder how its author arrived to such a conclusion. Care to clarify? Todah vShalom.
I don't know enough to respond to that, all I know is that if the Rebbe wrote it, then it's the truth. So when you speak about the "the author", you are speaking about the Gadol haDor of that generation.
DeleteI’m not imputing any error to such a great sage, G’d forbid, just saying that there is an apparent contradiction (at least to a person in my level) as many others exists in other jewish studies, that upon a “closer look” all “contradictions” disappears. I just want to (respectfully) understand how to solve my doubts for I’m sure there are excellent teachings that will do exactly that.
DeleteRecent news reflects a trend I’ve noticed ever since President Trump’s visit to China.
ReplyDeleteHe seems convinced that he must secure a deal - and that it must be framed as a victory.
My question is this: Why would you suddenly view your partners and allies as the obstacle while treating the enemy that openly seeks to kill you and your daughter as the best option on the table?
Another simple question: Why would you assume Israel might not like such a deal? Maybe because you know we don’t buy the lies and deception of the Islamic Republic? Maybe because anything you sign with them won’t be worth the paper it’s written on? Maybe because real change can only be achieved when they are on the ground with your boot pressing on their neck?
I know China has insisted that the Strait of Hormuz be reopened quickly. I also know that the “benefits” you expect from them may appear greater than those offered by your allies. But if October 7 taught me anything, it is this: whatever your enemy tells his own people is exactly what he intends to do.
And in the case of the Islamic Republic, their intentions are crystal clear:
▪️ They will never give up their right to enrich uranium.
▪️ They will never give up their ballistic missile program.
▪️ They will never abandon their proxy armies.
▪️ They will never allow you to remove their enriched uranium.
▪️ They will use this crisis to consolidate full control over the Strait of Hormuz and impose fees on every ship that passes through it.
▪️ They will continue to persecute, torture, and execute their own citizens who oppose their maniacal ideology.
They may agree to sign a framework for future negotiations, but they will drag those negotiations out indefinitely until you are exhausted and ultimately allow them to keep exactly what they wanted from the beginning.
You said it yourself in 2020, Mr. President: “Iran never won a war, but never lost a negotiation.”
You chose to stop the war and move the contest into the one arena where they are masters.
And boy, are they wrapping you around their finger.
Israel will do what it has to do - and will survive with or without America.
We are a very small nation, but we will never allow any regime or its proxy armies to plot and carry out our annihilation.
And while you go to bed - or simply fall asleep wherever you are - remember what the Word of God says:
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills -
From whence comes my help?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, He who keeps Israel
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.”
(Psalm 121:1-4)
From Amir who is spot on!
Don't believe anything Trump says, it's all smoke and mirrors. See this, for example:
Deletehttps://www.newsrael.com/posts/ouotlztrk1e