The importance of Zizit.
No, HasShem did not sent twelve of the most wise men selected by Moshe Rabbenu to spy on the promised land. True, HaShem did not stop them, but that’s because He does give us the freedom to make our own decisions. (see Rashi’s comments on Numbers 13:2) This was a test. A rather decisive test.
Let’s read Shelach backwards to make the point.
10 – You should wear zizit, so that you do not forget the word of HaShem, otherwise you get into trouble.
09 – What shall we do with the man who was found collecting sticks on Shabbath? Says HaShem: “He shall be put to death by the entire kehilla outside the camp.”
08 – From now on more mitzvoth will be added to offerings intended for HaShem. These Menachot consists of meal, wine and oil offerings that will be offered at the same time the animals are offered.
07 – A good part of Am Israel doesn’t listen to HaShem, goes into the mountains towards the Land of Canaan and meets their fate opposite mighty Amalekites and Canaanites.
06 – HaShem makes so that ten of the spies die in a plague, while directing Am Israel to go back into the dessert.
05 – Moshe begs HaShem not to kill His people as other nations will look upon God and think that He, God, failed. HaShem gives in but punished this generation by giving them another 40 years in the dessert.
04 – Bnei Israel weeps. They’re ready to give up and give thought to appointing a leader to go back to Egypt.
03 – Twelve wise men return from spying on Canaan and ten of them think that it is impossible to enter The Promised Land, since they seem to be outnumbered by giants. Only Caleb and Joshua think they can and should enter.
02 – Moshe changes the name of Hoshua bin Nun, the spy representing the tribe of Ephraim, to Joshua, meaning ‘God shall save’.
01 – Send you, Shelach Lecha, that they may spy on The Land of Canaan, which I am giving to Bnei Israel.
The proof that is a test, a test by HaShem to see if Am Israel is ready for Canaan, is stated by the words: …’which I am giving to Bnei Israel’. Right there, the wise and able men, carefully selected by Moshe himself should have known that a gift and promise by HaShem (the Promised Land), is a gift for the ‘bitachon’ (faith) in Him. The last part of this Parashat, which we just read first; the mitzvah of the zizit, doesn’t appear out of context. The Torah gives us a visible reminder to stay on the straight path. And, judging from the apathy that Am Israel demonstrates – it doesn’t support Moshe, nor the returning spies – it clearly needs a visual reminder. So it doesn’t really matter how we read this Parashat, backwards or forwards, it is inconceivable why Am Israel fell into the trap. Weren’t all miracles proof that HaShem stood by His own word? This time, the test was clearly announced with the words; …’which I am giving to Bnei Israel.’ It deserves attention that the Torah writes the words; ‘Bnei Israel’ and not ‘Am Israel’, as if to say, you will fail this test and therefore I will give The Land to your children and not you. And so, the decision to dwell another 40 years in the dessert shouldn’t come as a surprise. Back to reading backwards. Even when God punishes ten of the twelve spies, Am Israel still revolts and wants to go into Canaan only to meet their death by mighty men. Just like the spies had forecasted, HaShem let them have it, making the point that this would only happen if you deny yourself the ‘Daht’ the ‘belief’ in Him. When reading the occurrences backwards, you see that this test was so clear from the beginning, it is hard to understand why these wise and able men failed it completely.
The question that arises when reading it backwards is this; if they had worn zizit; known the tale of the man who gathered sticks on Shabbat and the swift punishment by HaShem; if they had known the meaning of the extra offerings of wine, meals and oils next to animals, would they have heard the words; ….’asher Ani no-ten le Bnei Israel..’? - ‘…which I shall give to the Children of Israel’? Would they, the spies and Am Israel have had a better chance to defy rumours and evil subjective reporting?
Let’s have Sforno answer this; “You shall see it and remember all the precepts of the Lord. You will remember that you are slaves of the Lord whose precepts you accepted by beholding the zizit, which is like the seal of the Master on his slaves. Through this you will cease going astray after your own hearts to satisfy the whims of your heart for the sake of wealth and honour even if it involves robbery.” Ten men robbed an entire generation from entering The Promised Land. They didn’t wear the zizits.
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