The Purpose of this blog

After coming through the desert, G-d commanded Moshe  "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites."  For forty days 12 men followed Moshe's command:

"Go up through the Negev and on into the hill country. See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many.  What kind of land do they live in? Is it good or bad? What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified?  How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land."

"When they reached the Valley of Eshcol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs."

The 12 spies all agreed on certain points:

"We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit."

But from there they have divergent thought as to their findings in the Land.   

10 Spies  gave this report: 

"The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size.  We saw the Nephilim there (giants). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." They believed what their eyes told them. Their fear took over and they spoke what they perceived to be the truth.

The L-rd saw their fear as contempt of Him and unbelief:

"How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the miraculous signs I have performed among them?"

Joshua and Calev agreed that there were giants in the Land but their trust in HaShem was in place:

"Joshua son of Nun and Calev son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had explored the land, tore their clothes and said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them."

 

"Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."

And the L-rd said:

"No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it.  But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. "

This blog is dedicated to the 2 Spies~ Joshua and Calev~ who saw with eyes of Trust and gave the Good Report. They were allowed to inherit that Land because they, like Avraham, believed G-d.

The hope is that this blog will quiet the lies and fear that abound about making Aliyah and living in the Land. In all these years, many aspects of Israel have not changed. It is still a Land  full of giants~ which we will not list so as not to give them any credence. It is also a Land flowing with Milk & Honey. This we will explore in future days. The Milk & Honey may take many forms but all should be that which will increase your desire to make Aliyah (if you are Jewish) and your prayers for the return of the Jewish people (if you are Christian).

(All quotes are from Parashat Shelach or Numbers 13-15 where you will find the story in its fullness)