Making Positive Actions Atone for Negative Ones

Parshat Shlach 

by Rabbi Avi Billet 

The chapter which follows the episodes of the spies and its immediate aftermath contains the rules of two mitzvot – the meal offerings (mincha) and the dough offering (challah).

The obvious questions follow. Why here? Why now?

Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch suggested that these commandments are recorded here – either because of a thematic connection to the spies story, or because it was a direct response to the entire spies tale, with commandments being issued as a correction to the sins of the people in chapters 13-14.

In discussing the meal offerings, Hirsch has a lengthy analysis of the purposes of the libations (Nesachim) associated with those offerings.

“Nesachim, then, are an expression of the fact that God shaped Israel's fate with his direct providence and guidance. This truth is the basis of the covenant of Abraham, which is fulfilled in Israel, and is also the basis of the mission assigned to Israel for the sake of the Torah. Israel's fate is directly shaped by God's guidance, and it was the disregard of this truth which was the essence of the sin of [the spies and those who supported them]… The lesson to be learned from Nesachim is that the obedience to God is the sun that fertilizes our fields and the triumphant sword of our victories. Thus the close connection between the Nesachim and the sin of the spies seems self-evident. This [the fact that Israel's fate in the land depends on obedience to God] is also the implication of the introductory words, “When you shall come (to the land)” (15:2) 

The two mitzvot are followed by the rules of communal sin offerings for idolatry and individual sin offerings for the same. Introducing his commentary on the communal offerings here, Hirsch writes, “The sin of the spies was that they cast doubt on God’s providence over our earthly existence and whether this providence is exclusive and sufficient. By suggesting ‘we ought go back to Egypt’ they reached the point of complete rebellion and complete defection from God… the assumption of this portion is that the sin [of the people in listening to the spies] could be repeated (by) the nation or by individuals.”

Let us bear in mind that each of the mitzvot in question also begin with the phrase, “And it will be when you come to land,” indicating that despite all that has happened, they will be coming to the land. It will only be a matter of time.

 Perhaps, using a page from Hirsch’s methodology playbook, we can suggest that when people turn away from God, there is a consequence, even a fallout. The question then becomes, what do we do about it now?

For those who turn away from God, and don’t care any more, there is little to discuss.

But for those who have turned but regret it or want to return, we can take the lesson from the Torah as gleaned from the specific commandments, which include very precise instructions that are to be followed “to the T.” The first sin of the spies came from not following specific directions. They were supposed to report to Moshe, and instead they reported to everyone.

Perhaps the sin of the lie about the land rose like dough, to the point that it was uncontrollable, so the mitzvah fulfilled with dough serves as a form of correction.

What does it mean for us? We are not perfect. We often know when we’ve done the wrong thing – certainly when we do it on purpose, and even often enough when we are guilty of errors in judgment, errors in decisions, errors that either prevent us from doing the right thing, or which cause us to do things we regret afterwards. What to do?

If we are able to have the awareness, or if we are able to accept the critique from friends or loved ones who care (though giving critique is a skill unto itself, which many well-meaning people fail miserably at delivering!), we can take immediate steps to rectify wrongdoings.

Speak too much Lashon hora (gossip/slander)? Limit phone conversations. Or write “Guard thy tongue” on a cell phone screen cover.

Forget to say blessings? Hang reminders and posters near refrigerators, pantry cabinets and tables where eating takes place.

Thinking negative all the time? There are dozens of “inspirational text messages” one could sign up for through different websites.

This is the challenge we all have – to recognize deficiencies in ourselves and try to take steps to fix them. It isn’t easy for anyone. No one has an easy time changing and improving. For most of us, it’s probably not even worth the effort, especially if “I like the way I am, and I’m happy to deal with me as me.”

But those methods did not work for the spies and the people of their generation, which is why they did not merit to see the Promised Land. In our times, thank God the Promised Land has been reached. But we continue to have goals including to see peace in the Promised Land, and ultimately a Messianic Era. May our efforts at improving ourselves, challenging as they all are, be what helps us see our ultimate goals actualized in our lifetimes.