Faith in Hashem: Then and Now

by Rabbi Mordechai Willig

I
After the death sentence handed down to all males above twenty (Bamidbar 14:29) in the aftermath of their complaints (27) and weeping (1) over the negative report of the ten spies (13:31-33), there is an abrupt transition. The laws of meal offerings and wine libations are stated, followed by the laws of challa (15:1-21). The Da'as Z'keinim (15:2) explains this juxtaposition. When Am Yisroel heard Hashem's decree, they feared that if they will sin there will be another decree and an endless sojourn in the desert. Hashem therefore said that after forty years you will certainly keep these laws when you enter Eretz Yisroel. The Ramban (15:2) adds that Hashem consoled the children by commanding laws observed only in Eretz Yisroel to assure them that they will enter the land.

The Ohr Hachaim refines this idea, explaining that Hashem saw that they were broken-hearted over the decree to wander forty years in the desert, far from Eretz Yisroel. He sustained their heart with the mitzvos which depend upon the land in order to strengthen their spirit by assuring them that they would ascend and conquer their land. Despite the forty-year wait, the end result was guaranteed.

This consolation is based upon the younger generation's faith in Hashem and His omnipotence. Their parents did not have faith in Hashem (14:11), and the spies even denied His omnipotence (Rashi 13:31). By correcting the sin of their elders and the spies, by reestablishing the faith of their parents which enabled their redemption from Egyptian slavery (Shemos 4:31; 14:31), they were no longer borken-hearted. Their spirits were lifted and they deserved Hashem's guarantee to enter Eretz Yisroel notwithstanding future sins.

II
"Go, my people, enter your rooms and close your doors behind you. Hide for a brief moment until the anger has passed" (Yeshaya 26:20). Many of us remain behind closed doors, hiding until the terrible plague will pass. What should we be doing while in hiding? Rashi interprets "your rooms" as your shuls and yeshivos. In our current situation, however, shuls and yeshivos were all closed for months, and for many of us they remain off limits.

Rashi then cites the non-literal interpretation of the first two phrases in the pasuk found in the Medrash Tanchuma: contemplate your deeds in the chambers (rooms) of your heart. Introspection and teshuva can and must take place even in quarantine. Close the doors of your mouth, and don't question Hashem's attribute of strict justice. We must bow our heads in the face of tragedy and state, "Perfect is His work, for all His ways are just" (Devarim 32:4), even when we cannot comprehend. Rashi also cites the Targum, which explains that we should do good deeds which will protect you in a time of crisis. Exhibit patience in stressful situations, spend more time in positive interactions with spouses, children and parents, contact others who are in solitary isolation, learn more Torah, give more tzedaka, and daven with more kavana.

Many of us have returned to shuls, some even to yeshivos. The laws of social distancing, masks and limited participants must be followed. Medical experts warn us that Covid 19 remains very dangerous. Halacha demands that we avoid danger by appropriate precautionary measures, even beyond legal requirements.

The "brief moment" of hiding has lasted, for some totally and for some, now, partially, for over three months. This presents spiritual dangers as well. Many have exhibited signs of stress, impatience, restlessness and even depression. People ask "When will it end? How will it end? Will it end?" The proper Torah response is expressed in a popular song. We have talked the talk when we danced at weddings. We must walk the walk during our present crisis. "'Yisroel, trust in Hashem. Their help and protection is He' (Tehillim 115:9). We are believers and sons of believers, and we have no one upon whom to rely except for our Father in Heaven".

The belief of our fathers enabled the Exodus from Egypt. Its resumption after the sin of the spies sustained us for forty years in the desert. Our belief in Hashem's promise to bring us to Eretz Yisroel was the self-fulfilling guarantee that we would enter and conquer it, notwithstanding powerful armies and future sins.

We do not know when or how the pandemic will end. We hope and pray for a swift end, by a vaccine, a mutation, or otherwise. But we must be patient and reinforce our belief in Hashem and His omnipotence to end this crisis when and how He pleases. May our faith be rewarded by Hashem answering our prayers for a complete and speedy return to a totally safe "old normal" to serve Him with joy.