Sh’lach – The Meaning of Responsibility

Rabbi Ezra Friedman

Responsibility is a very strong word, a word with so many connotations. Children should be responsible and take care of their belongings, army generals are responsible for their soldiers’ actions, CEOs are responsible for a drop in profits. This important word is heard so often that sometimes we are confused about what it really means. In short, responsibility means that we, as Jews, realize that no matter what goes on around us, no matter how complex the circumstance, the only person liable for his actions is himself. This idea is so precious in Judaism since we are a religion that encompasses the entire human essence: thought, word and action. This connection teaches the most basic lesson, that any thought or action is a decision made by man and man only. To be “a good Jew in my heart” is an oxymoron. We must make our religious service and manifest it in our world and good actions are a very significant part of that. Even though in many aspects of life we are presented with trying and challenging circumstances, if we don’t realize that we are ultimately responsible for our actions, then we’ve lost a basic virtue of Judaism.

This important idea comes alive in this week’s Parsha. In Parashat Sh’lach, we are witness to one of the most tragic events in Jewish history. Am Yisrael sent Meraglim (messengers) to examine Eretz Yisrael. When the messengers returned, they scared Am Yisrael by declaring that the tribes that settled in Eretz Yisrael were simply unbeatable and that Am Yisrael didn’t stand a chance of defeating them. The people were so distressed by and fearful of what they had heard, that they blamed Hashem for the “wasteful journey” and clamored that they should return to Egypt. Hashem punished that generation by decreeing forty years of wandering in the desert and that only the next generation would merit entering Eretz Yisrael.

The story of the messengers and Am Yisrael’s reaction is recorded twice in Chumash, once in our Parsha and later in Sefer Devarim. It is interesting to note the many differences between the two descriptions. In Sefer Devarim, the Torah describes the Meraglim as praising the Holy Land, but Am Yisrael sinned because they were disgusted by Eretz Yisrael and preferred to go back to Egypt. However in our Parsha, Parashat Sh’lach, the event is described in its entirety, the messengers did describe how beautiful Eretz Yisrael was, but then claimed that there was no chance of conquering it. Why is there a difference between the Parshiot? The answer is that the Torah is not just a history book. Rather, the Torah comes to teach us in many different ways the most basic values of life.

The story of the Meraglim took place as described in our Parsha. In Sefer Devarim there is a different lesson to be taught. Am Yisrael heard the terrible words of the Meraglim and they reacted negatively. One can assume that it would seem fair not to blame Am Yisrael, for they were justified in their feelings. However, the opposite is true. Even though Am Yisrael could be justified for being concerned about the report they heard from the Meraglim, they were responsible for their reaction. No matter how hard it was for them, Am Yisrael should have acted differently. They were responsible for their actions and they should not have the Meraglim as an excuse.

To make this idea more tangible, imagine a court case where a robber gives testimony and announces that he is completely innocent. The judge and jury inquire and the robber claims that he only went to steal because he was told to do so. Would that kind of claim warrant an acquittal? Am Yisrael could say that it was the Meraglim’s fault. However, Hashem wrote in his Torah that Am Yisrael decided to leave on their own account to teach generations to come that, at the end of the day, Am Yisrael must shoulder the responsibility.

This is such a crucial lesson for every single Jew. If we are always aware that we are responsible for own actions and that we have the self-control to prevent any wrongdoing, we can succeed in serving Hashem in the correct fashion. Many times in life, people try to run away from responsibility, but what they do not realize is that, as Jews, we can never run away from our responsibility. Our responsibility is to be G-d fearing Jews. No matter what the circumstances, we must glorify Hashem’s name with our every word and action. Let us hold ourselves to a high standard of conduct and never forget that we are always responsible for our actions.