Naso
Hashem instructed Moshe: “Send out for yourself men who will scout the Land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Children of Israel.”
Why men and not women?
The Kli Yakar offers two possibilities.
Women chatter, says the Gemara,[1] meaning there was a stronger risk that they would spread the wrong message about the land.
As seen with the daughters of Tzelofchod, “women cherish Eretz Yisroel.” So Hashem told Moshe Rabbeinu: In My opinion you should send women because they’ll bring back a positive report, but I see that you want to send men, so “send out for yourself men.”
In a letter[2] to Rabbi Yisroel Tzvi Heber, a Chabad educator and activist in Eretz Yisroel, the Rebbe advised that even a small increase in programming for Jewish women would yield vast results, because women are active communicators (i.e., “chatterers”).
The Rebbe made clear that yes, a person can choose whether or not to be a “chatterer”, but more than that, the very quality itself can be used to promote goodness and holiness.
As we approach the holy day of Gimmel Tammuz, let’s take inspiration from this week’s parshah and from the Rebbe’s teachings to view others in a positive light, and to use all our abilities to promote goodness, kindness, and holiness. May our efforts yield the coming of Moshiach now.
[1] Brachos 48b.
[2] Igros Kodesh vol. 13 pg. 97.
Good Shabbos,
Rabbi Lipskier
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