Facing the Unknown with Courage

“finding inspiration and guidance to face challenges”

The story of the spies in Parashat Shelach is often seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fear and lack of faith. The “spies”, were sent by Moshe to scout out the promised land of Israel. They returned with a report of powerful enemies and insurmountable obstacles, causing the Israelites to lose heart and refuse to enter the land. Only Caleb and Yehoshua, who courageously stood up to the other spies and urged the people to trust in HaShem, were able to maintain their faith and hope.

But there is another aspect of this story that is often overlooked: the courage it takes to face the unknown. The Israelites are less than eighteen months of yetziat Mitzraim( freedom from Egypt). HaShem has been sustaining them with miracles, such as the mon( manna) for these eighteen months. The Israelites received the Torah and experienced a very intimate relationship with HaShem; all of their needs were fulfilled. Now, it was time for them to take responsibility to establish and build a society based on Torah. Imagine, the paradigm shift, the difference in the mindset, from slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, to establishing your own country in a land that is unfamiliar to you, in less than eighteen months. For this generation, the prospect of entering the land of Israel is not just a matter of faith, but of courage as well.

This kind of courage is not just about facing physical danger, although that is certainly part of it. It is also about facing the unknown and the unfamiliar, about confronting our own limitations and fears. It is about being willing to take risks and make mistakes, to fail and try again. It is about having the faith and the determination to move forward, even when we don’t know what lies ahead.

In our own lives, we are often faced with situations that require courage. We may be starting a new job or a new relationship. We may be moving to a new city or even a new country, or facing a serious illness, heaven forbid, or a difficult decision. We may feel overwhelmed by the challenges ahead, unsure of our abilities and our resources. We may be tempted to give up or to retreat into familiar patterns, rather than face the unknown.

But if we look at the example of Caleb and Yehoshua, we can find inspiration and guidance for facing our own challenges with courage. Here are three lessons we can learn from their example:

1. Trust in HaShem: Caleb and Yehoshua were not just brave warriors; they were also men of faith. They trusted that HaShem would keep His promise to give them the land of Israel, and they knew that HaShem would be with them every step of the way. When we face challenges in our own lives, we can find courage in the knowledge that we are not alone, that HaShem is with us and will guide us through even the darkest valleys.

2. Focus on the goals: Caleb and Yehoshua were able to maintain their faith and courage because they kept their eyes on the prize. They knew that the goal was not just to conquer the land of Israel, but to create a new society based on justice and compassion. When we face challenges in our own lives, we can find courage by remembering our own goals and values, and by focusing on what we want to achieve, rather than on fears and doubts.

3. Stand up for what is right: Caleb and Yehoshua were not afraid to stand up to their fellow Israelites and challenge their lack of faith. They knew that it was more important to do what was right than to be popular or accepted. When we face challenges, we can find courage by standing up against injustice or oppression, and by being true to our own values and principles.

As we read the story of the “spies” in Parashat Shelach, let us remember the courage of Caleb and Yehoshua.