Parshas Shlach 5785 - Word Power

This week’s parsha recounts the tragic episode of the miraglim, the spies who scouted the land of Israel. Their negative report spawned a national crisis and a major rebellion against Moshe and Aharon:

“All the children of Israel murmured against Moshe and Aharon, and the entire assembly said to them, ‘If only we had died in the land of Egypt or if only we had died in this Wilderness! Why is Hashem bringing us to this land to die by the sword; our wives and young children will be taken captive? Is it not better for us to return to Egypt?’ So they said to one another, ‘Let us appoint a leader and let us return to Egypt!’” (Bamidbar 14:2-4).

It is apparent from the above that the rebellion progressed in stages. It began with murmuring discontent and led to calls for new leadership and a return to Egypt – an outright rebellion against Hashem. Despite witnessing incredible miracles such as the Exodus from Egypt, the splitting of the Red Sea, receiving the Torah, and being sustained by manna and Divine protection, the people now demand to return to slavery. What caused this discontent to spiral into an open revolt?

The Netziv (Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin) understands that the rebels fomenting the rebellion were only a small group. This makes the question even stronger: How could a small group affect such a widespread rebellion?

The Netziv explains that the rebellion exploded with a seemingly minor detail:

“And they said to one another…” (Ibid. 14:4).

This phrase implies a critical change. Until now, people may have harbored private doubts or anxieties. But once dissent began to spread among the people, their inhibitions dissolved. What was previously unthinkable—challenging Moshe’s leadership and Hashem’s plan—now seemed permissible. A small group of dissenters managed to inflame the entire nation through the power of speech.

We learn from here the power of negative, unrestrained speech. When people do not think about the potential impact of their words, then terrible consequences can result. After the report of the spies, even a relatively small group could provoke people to speak in negative ways, resulting in open rebellion. How many relationships have unraveled due to careless or hurtful words spoken in haste? When people express every frustration without reflecting on its impact, they can do irreparable damage.

Of course, the opposite is also true. Speech can also build people up and inspire others to accomplish great things. The Chafetz Chaim is noted to have taught: “When people are preparing a telegram, notice how carefully they consider each word before they put it down. That is how careful we must be when we speak.”

As we reflect on the episode of the meraglim, we should recognize the significance of our speech. May we strive to choose our words wisely and elevate our conversations, thereby fostering peace in our families, our community and the whole world.