The Advantage of Touring Touring. A word that evokes feelings of exploration, beauty, and new horizons. The Hebrew word for touring, “Latur”, sounds strikingly similar to the English word, tour. This word, which appears in our Torah portion regarding the scouts sent to spy, or “tour” the land of Israel, has an additional meaning as well: it is related to the Hebrew word for “Yitaron”, advantage. We all heard the story. The spies were reluctant to enter the land of Israel because, as Chasidic philosophy explained, they were afraid of the spiritual challenges that come along with the abandonment of desert life. Additionally, they were apprehensive about the necessity of engaging in the materialistic economy of the land of Israel. “It is a land that consumes its inhabitants” is what they reported back to the Jewish people, alluding to the fear that the “earth”, the materialism of the land, would consume, swallow, and corrupt the spiritual life of the Israelites. We can understand the sentiment. Being challenged is not comfortable. But the Hebrew language reminds us that the challenge of “touring”, expanding vistas and entering a new way of life, is precisely what leads to a Yitaron, an advantage, which will lead us to the greatest heights. There is a moving Talmudic story that illustrates this point. The great Talmudic sage Rav Yochanan was in profound mourning after his study partner passed away. The sages tried to set him up with another study partner, but that did not work, specifically because Rav Yochanan preferred someone who would challenge him rather than a study partner who would agree with him. As the Talmud relates: Reish Lakish died. Rabbi Yoḥanan was sorely pained over losing him. The Rabbis said: Who will go to calm Rabbi Yoḥanan’s mind and comfort him over his loss? They said: Let Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat go, as his statements are sharp, i.e., he is clever and will be able to serve as a substitute for Reish Lakish. Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat went and sat before Rabbi Yoḥanan. With regard to every matter that Rabbi Yoḥanan would say, Rabbi Elazar ben Pedat would say to him: There is a ruling which is taught in a baraita that supports your opinion. Rabbi Yoḥanan said to him: Are you comparable to the son of Lakish? In my discussions with the son of Lakish, when I would state a matter, he would raise twenty-four difficulties against me in an attempt to disprove my claim, and I would answer him with twenty-four answers, and the halakha by itself would become broadened and clarified. And yet you say to me: There is a ruling which is taught in a baraita that supports your opinion. Do I not know that what I say is good? Being rebutted by Reish Lakish served a purpose; your bringing proof to my statements does not. Rabbi Yoḥanan went around, rending his clothing, weeping and saying: Where are you, son of Lakish? Where are you, son of Lakish? Talmud, Baba Metzia, 84a Rav Yochanan understood that a challenge contains within it a "yitaron," an advantage. He understood that the very difficulties we seek to avoid may be the source of our greatest growth. Adapted from the teachings of the Rebbe, Shelach Leacha 5731
ב"ה