The year was 2484. The Jews had wandered the desert for almost forty years. The new generation was reaching middle age and had begun to assume the leadership of the nation. The generation that had left Egypt as adults were almost all gone, only a handful remained. And then Miriam died, and suddenly, there was no water for the people.
Aharon was the next to go. His death shook the nation to the core. Rashi (21:29) points out that he was loved by all. The “peacemaker” had been a constant. A legend in his own time, the new generation had grown close with the first Kohain Gadol. He who had “stopped the Angel of Death” in last week’s Parsha (following the rebellion of Korach) was seemingly invincible, immortal. Miriam was gone. Aharon was gone. Even worse was the fact that he had died without warning. (See Rashi 20:29). Who might be next?
The Jews wanted to enter the land. They did not want to wander anymore. Moshe had led them around the land of Edom rather than fight for the more direct route. Once again it seemed they were wandering. Then Aharon died. The double punch of their disappointment and their insecurity turned to anger at their situation. They took it out on the manna. They attacked their primary source of sustenance. They displayed their anger and fear. However, this time, G-d was less forgiving. This time he punished the people for their lack of gratitude, their immaturity. Therefore, He sent the poisonous snakes. (See Rashi 21:6).
However, in this instance, the new generation revealed its uniqueness and greatness. As the snakes attacked and people began to die, the people came to Moshe and exclaimed, “We have sinned for we have spoken against Hashem and against you.” They were no longer the “stiff necked” people who had fashioned the Golden Calf, listened to the Spies, and supported Korach’s rebellion. This was a nation that admitted their shortcomings and said they were sorry. In all the 38 preceding years there is not a single record of the Jews admitting their guilt. This was a truly new, and in this way, improved generation.
Such a generation was worthy of occupying the land. Such a generation was capable of living in the land. (Remember, life would be an ongoing series of sinning and repentance. Note: The period of the Shoftim).
The last recorded rebellion in the Torah is found in the last verses of this week’s parsha. The new generation had learned their lesson well. They trusted G-d and they trusted Moshe. However, they also trusted themselves, and therefore, they failed. Living in the desert, isolated, insulated, and being frum is one thing. Living among the other nations exposed and unprotected is entirely something else. Yes, the tents and dwelling places of Jacob were good, but they could not withstand the test of assimilation. They could not stand up against themselves.
The new generation had to learn a terrible, but important lesson. “Learn to trust G-d. Learn to trust Moshe. Learn to never trust just in yourself.” To be human is to err. To be G-dly is to forgive. So long as we know how to evoke His forgiveness, we will continue to ask His forgiveness. So long as we ask forgiveness, we will be deserving of the Land.
