Feet on the Ground - Head in the Clouds

We spoke last week about the calamity involving the spies. Because they lacked confidence in themselves and their mission, they saw their ability at conquering the land in a negative light. On a deeper level, it is explained that the spies didn't mean bad! They believed that their people's present situation in the desert was the most ideal it could get! They had "manna" - food from heaven, that would satiate them every day. We are told that their clothes miraculously stayed in perfect shape for the entire 40 years in the desert. They had no physical or material worries at all. All they did was learn the new Torah they had received, while working on their spiritual life and connection to G-d. No wars. No farming. No reaping. No working. Just spiritual bliss. Surely that was the ideal way to live life? Why mess with it and enter this land of Israel? Where they'd have to farm and earn a living, busy with the mundane?

That, our Sages explain, is why the Spies gave a negative report to the people about the land. So what did they do wrong? Their mistake lay in thinking that G-d Desires only our spiritual or intellectual pursuits. In Judaism, we are taught that G-d Primarily Desires what we do.

Which leads us to this week's Torah Portion, Korach. The cousin of Moses, Korach leads a rebellion against him, in a familiar scene of seeming jealousy and hatred for another's lofty position and seat of power. But here again, our Sages teach us not to just take this story at face value. Korach had a seemingly very valid argument!
"Look at what happened with the spies!" He said. "G-d Showed us that action is what truly matters to Him, not lofty spiritual levels. And if that's the case, why is Moses any better than you or I!? Sure he is greater in holiness, but if what matters to G-d most is a physical mitzvah, a good deed, Moses is no different to you or I! Each of us can do a physical deed with equal vigor as he!"

Seems to be a valid point. So where did Korach go wrong?
Korach's mistake, was thinking that action was all that mattered. Torah demands action, yes, but action that is infused with inspiration and spiritual enlightenment.
Thus, the spies & Korach teach us the value of a healthy balance: Unlike the spies, one mustn't shy away from confronting the world and affecting it positively. But on the other hand, Judaism's emphasis on action must never lead to a life of meaningless ritual and a lack of spirituality and enthusiasm. We have to work to change the world in an inspired way, performing mitzvot with enthusiasm and joy.

Good luck and Shabbat Shalom!

-Daniel