Whether they were weak or strong: a sign did he hand over to them: If they dwell in open cities, they are strong, for they rely on their own strength; and if in fortified cities they dwell, they are weak (Tanchuma) (Rashi to 13:18)

Many years ago I met with a couple from America while they were on a pilot trip to Israel, as they considered moving to Ramat Beit Shemesh. I discussed with them many aspects of their current involvement in community life where they were living, and I was truly impressed. Both husband and wife were involved in shiurei torah, and the wife was also very involved with local chesed organizations. As I pondered their situation, I saw two reasons for them to remain in America:

  1. Being that they were such key people in their community, maybe they have an obligation to stay in America to continue helping where they are needed.
  2. The situation where they were living demanded of them to strive, grow, and become leaders. Perhaps their move to Eretz Yisrael would take the adrenaline flow out of them, resulting in them going into “cruise control”?

On the other hand, the holiness of the Eretz Yisrael can catapult a person into greater spheres of spirituality and the community that they were looking to join was definitely a growth-oriented community.

There is a story told of a chosid who immediately after his wedding went to his Rebbe to ask where he should live with his new bride. The chosid was debating whether to live in the city or in a rural community, and he explained the advantages of each to the Rebbe. After the Rebbe listened carefully to his query, he pointed to the Rashi in this week’s parsha and said: “Your answer lies here! If you think you are so strong that you can do it on your own, then possibly you have the option of living in a rural area. But if you are not strong, then you need the support of a community, so you must live in a close-knit strong religious environment.”

I once heard the Mashgiach of the Lakewood Yeshiva describe the beginnings of that institution. After the Second World War, the United States was desolate of bnei Torah. Reb Aharon Kotler had the opportunity to move to the land of Israel, yet he chose to go to America. As the story has it, Rabbi Kotler used the famous “Goral HaGra,” the lottery used by the sagely Vilna Gaon to make this decision. Rabbi Kotler “randomly” opened up the chumash, and let Divine Providence communicate an answer, through whichever verse he “happened” to point to. The chosen  verse was: G-d told Aharon, “Go meet Moshe, in the midbar (desert).” (Exodus 4:27). He understood it to mean that he should team up with his good friend Rav Moshe Feinstein in the “desert” of America. Yet the Mashgiach asked how could Reb Aharon make such a decision to move to America given that the Rambam says (Deos 6:1) that a person should not live in a place where the people are lacking proper direction, and if need be he should even live in the wilderness rather than living close to such people? He answered, based on a rule regarding kosher and non-kosher foods: While something is expelling flavor, it cannot at the same time be absorbing flavor. Therefore, he said, since Reb Aharon’s mission in life was to disseminate Torah amongst the masses, he was guaranteed not to be affected by the ills and lack of Torah in America. And yes, Reb Aharon was indeed quite successful.

I think that the message for us is, that we must continually learn and remember that though we have reached an elevated status, our privilege of being in Eretz Yisrael compels us to continue to strive. For complacency is dangerous, even when living in the Land of Israel. This week, when we read about the sin of the spies and their lack of appreciation for the “segula” of the land of Israel, we must judge ourselves. Are we taking advantage of the opportunities that we have here? Are we using our community to the utmost, and pushing ourselves forward to the level we can?

Or are we on “cruise control”?