Another example: Another of their findings was that there were large fortified cities, arim gdolot u’vetzurot bashamayim (Devarim 1:28). Well, this was after all what Moshe told them to look for.
Moshe sent them to look and see the land, hatova hi, im raza, is it good or bad, u’mah hearim hayoshev bahena habemachanim im bemivztarim, and what of the cities that they dwell in, do they live in open areas, machanim, or in fortified cities, mivtzarim?
What would they have preferred to find, open cities, or walled cities? Many of us may have made the same mistake as the meraglim. Certainly walled cities look more imposing. But what does it say about the people inside them?
The Midrash Tanchuma comments: Im bemachanim hem sheruyim, hem giborim ubotchim al kocham. Im bemivtzarim, chalashim hem, v’libam rach – If they are in open cities, they are strong and trust in their strength; if in walled cities, they are weak, and their hearts are soft.
So actually walled cities are a sign of weakness! The great walls are intended to strike fear into the enemy, but only because the resolve of those inside is weak.
The meraglim were not able get beyond the imposing walls and perceive the true nature of these cities.
We see several instances in which the meraglim inflated the challenge that was before them. The people of the land may have been somewhat large, but the real problem was that the meraglim saw themselves as small. The cities may have been walled, but the residents of those cities were terrified of Bnei Yisrael, as we see later in Sefer Yehoshua.
Our faith depends less on what we see about others and more about what we feel within ourselves.
* * * * *
Kansas City has a Jewish population of 18,000 with mikvaot, an eruv, an active Vaad Hakashrut, a Community Kollel, day school options, and an award-winning NCSY chapter. Its metro area has excellent and diverse job opportunities, spacious and affordable housing and a nationally-acclaimed quality of life, especially for young families. In addition, there is job placement assistance and communal support to help families join the community.
State Capital: Topeka
State Nickname: The Sunflower State
State Motto: To the stars through difficulties
State Flower: Native Sunflower
State Bird: Western Meadowlark
First Shul: Temple B’Nai Jeshurun, founded in 1859, in Leavenworth