| The Portion of Shlach Lecha Intelligence Gathering Following the exodus, the revelation, the construction and dedication of the tabernacle, the census, and the arrangement of the camp according to the tribes, the time has finally come to enter the Promised Land. As is the case with every army, the first step in planning a military campaign is to gather intelligence about the forces with which you will contend. The leaders of the tribes are sent to scout the Land and to bring back a report. It seems that while facts are important, interpretation of facts is no less important. Ten of the twelve "spies" return with a message that evokes fear and trepidation in the minds of the Children of Israel. While exhibiting the fruits of the Land with which they returned, they spoke of fortified cities and overwhelmingly strong inhabitants. Calev ben Yefuneh stands almost helpless opposite his colleagues. The entire nation, 600,000 men strong together with their wives and children, concluded that, given these "facts", they will be unable to conquer the Land. But Calev doesn't give up. He gets the people's attention when he says "And this is not the only thing that Moses did for us…" The people think for a moment that Calev is going to join the majority (see Rashi's commentary) and silence reigns as the people wait to hear what Calev has to say. Calev then courageously speaks to the entire nation: "Let us go up… for we can do it"! (Numbers 13;20) The fact that Calev succeeded in quieting the 600,000 strong people of Israel is alluded to in the crown and addition at the bottom of the letter "samech" in the word "vayahass" (and he quieted). (The numerical value of the letter 'samech" is 60, and by extension alludes to 60 X 10,000.) (Remazei Rabbenu Yoel)
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