It was this confusion that led to the great sin of Cheit HaMeraglim

“These are their names: For Shevet Reuven… For Shevet Binyamin… For Shevet Zevulun… For Shevet Gad… (Bamidbar 13:4-15)

The list of the Meraglim, the spies, starts out in the standard order: Reuven, Shimon, and then Yehudah, because Levi didn’t send a spy. But suddenly, the list goes haywire. Yissachar, Efraim, Binyamin, Zevulun, Menasheh, Dan, Asher, Naftali, Gad. Why?

The Ramban says that the Meraglim are listed in the order of their chashivus, the greatness of the individuals. But then why wouldn’t Yehoshua, from Shevet Efraim, and Kalev, from Yehudah, be listed first?

The Seforno suggests the list is in age order. But that’s also a problem, because Yehoshua was older than Kalev (Rav Yisrael Reisman, Shiurim al Chumash).

The end of the school year always sends me into a tailspin. While I don’t have to contend with the lengthy summer vacation they have in the States, the three weeks of meshugasim here are enough to put me in a tizzy.

There are no sleepaway camps, barely any day camps (certainly not for a growing boy who thinks those are for babies). Plus, although my kids are on vacation, those three weeks herald my busy season at work as we advance toward the Yom Tov issues.

My boys are eager to entertain themselves, but personally, I don’t find it entertaining to have my house transformed into a petting zoo or a roller blading obstacle course. And trying to work like that? It’s more like total brain freeze. I simply can’t think under those circumstances.

Ever try coming up with a catchy title for an article while your kids are playing catch with an unripe melon? Trust me, the title would read something like: See(d)ing Is Believing.

In Sefer Yirmiyahu we learn that the walls of Yerushalayim were breached on the ninth of Tammuz. Yet we fast on the 17th of Tammuz. The Gemara Bavli says that the tragedy happened on the ninth of Tammuz before Churban Bayis Rishon, and on Shivah Asar B’Tammuz before the destruction of the Second Bais Hamikdash. Accordingly, we mourn both by fasting on the 17th of Tammuz.

But the Gemara Yerushalmi says that the walls were breached on the 17th of Tammuz in the era of both Batei Mikdash. However, because of the behalah — the tremendous state of disarray and confusion that existed during the time of the Churban — the people got the date wrong and thought it was the 9th of Tammuz and not the 17th.

The Navi wanted to convey to us the sense of behalah, the confusion, that characterized the era of the Churban.

In his introduction to Sefer Yirmiyahu, the Abarbanel points out there are a lot of grammatical inconsistencies in the sefer. He explains that this is deliberate also, intended to convey the pandemonium that existed at the time.

Finally, one year when July was rolling around yet once again (how does that happen?), I realized I needed a complete mind shift. There was a limit to my multitasking skills. Summertime meant overload with me acting as a chef, chaperone, referee, and entertainment director all rolled into one. If I wanted warm, fuzzy memories (not caterpillars), I’d have to limit my focus to one task only: mommying my males.

I pulled myself ahead of my work deadlines, and then, during the three weeks of vacation, I devoted myself solely to my kids. I created Mommy camp with themes, trips, and activities; I barbequed and lifeguarded, and one notable week, raised chicks to mature chickens. (Don’t. Even. Ask.)

Rav Yaakov Kamenetsky says a beautiful pshat. We know that when Klal Yisrael sent the Meraglim, they were in a state of confusion, behalah (see Rashi, Devarim 1:22). Suggests Rav Yaakov: They started sending the Meraglim in order: Reuven, Shimon, and Yehudah, but then the confusion set in and things became disorganized. It was this confusion that led to the great sin of Cheit HaMeraglim. Confusion, behalah, leads to bad decisions, which leads to people doing wrong.

Oy! What an important lesson for our generation, a generation of behalah, a generation that lives life confused.

At the end of 21 days, I felt 21 years older, but lo and behold, I still had my wits about me. (Cue in witty comment, but that was way beyond my energy level.)

And when I waved goodbye on the first day of school (See you again in July!), I felt a sense of peace descend upon me. I’d focused only on the task at hand and therefore survived with my sanity intact… well, mostly.

 (Originally featured in Family First, Issue 847)