Three Forms of Gratitude
Even a cursory overview of Jewish history will demonstrate how we owe our very existence to special Divine Providence. A more astute observer of Jewish history will see how every bit of sustenance is a direct blessing from G-d. But even when we act like spoiled children and demand the frivolous, G-d still grants us our request. We must be grateful for everything including the luxuries that we enjoy.
Caleb’s Arguments
Moses sent twelve spies to prepare the Jewish people for their entry into the Promised Land of Israel. Ten of those spies returned with a slanderous report about Israel and drew the conclusion that it would be impossible for the Jewish nation to conquer the Promised land. Two of the twelve spies, however, Caleb and Joshua, remained faithful to Moses and tried to convince the people that they would be successful in conquering the land.
In this week’s Parsha, the Torah recounts how Caleb tried to persuade the people that Moses was only interested in their good. Rashi, quoting the Talmud, supplements the Torah’s account by stating that Caleb highlighted three of Moses accomplishments to help mollify their concern about Moses’ motives leading them into the Promised land.
(a) Moses split the sea. (b) He brought down the Manna. (c) He provided them with quail.
Commentators wonder what Caleb had in mind when he reminded them of the quails. Indeed, the end result of the quails’ episode was that the Jewish people who craved for them and complained bitterly to Moses were eventually struck down by G-d. Mention of the quails could hardly pacify those who claimed that the conquest of the Promised Land would end in disaster.
What have You Done for Me recently?
To understand the reason for Caleb highlighting these three events — splitting of the sea, the Manna and the quails — we can look at human nature vis-à-vis the trait of gratitude. One of the flaws of human nature is that even when someone is the recipient of another’s kindness, one might still think, “What have you done for me recently?” And even when one provides the other with constant assistance, the beneficiary may still be ungrateful because they take the kindness for granted.
To impress upon them the need to be grateful to Moses for all that he had done for them, Caleb selected these three events, because they highlighted the fact that Moses was instrumental in providing the Jewish people with all three categories of kindness, for which they would be compelled to show appreciation. By splitting the sea for them and saving them from the pursuing Egyptians, Moses earned their gratitude because he literally saved their lives.
To counter the likely response of the ingrates, “What had Moses done for them recently?” Caleb therefore introduced the Manna, which was a daily occurrence. True, the Manna was not as crucial for their very survival as the splitting of the sea was, because, as our Sages tell us, they could have survived on the livestock they possessed. They could also have purchased food from the merchants who traveled through the desert. Nevertheless Manna was a daily form of assistance and kindness that was generated by Moses, for which they ought to be grateful.
But, Manna had its drawback. It became a predictable part of their lives and would likely be taken for granted. The fact that it was a necessity could have provoked the opposite reaction, “What’s the big deal? Moses had to give us food? When was the last time he gave something meaningful and exciting?”
Caleb, therefore, cited the third example of how Moses provided them with something new and exciting; bordering on the frivolous. Indeed, it was rather audacious on their part to demand the quail. And notwithstanding the impetuous and frivolous nature of their demand, Moses still interceded with G-d to give it to them. Moses thus saved their lives, provided them with continual sustenance and even gave them a treat that was above and beyond anything they really needed and had a right to demand.
If there is any lesson to learn from the above, it is the need to express gratitude for each of the three modes of Divine blessing that we have received from G-d and continue to be the beneficiaries of.
Three Modes of Divine Blessing
First, even a cursory overview of Jewish history will demonstrate how we owe our very existence to the special Divine Providence that is analogous to the splitting of the sea.
A more astute observer of Jewish history will see the “Manna effect” in our daily lives; how actually every bit of sustenance is a direct blessing from G-d.
What is perhaps most inspiring to some is that even when we act like spoiled children and demand the frivolous, such as the quail, G-d still grants us our request. We must be grateful for the luxuries that we enjoy.
The Thanksgiving Offering
Our Sages say that when Moshiach comes the most “popular” sacrifice will be the thanksgiving one. Each and every one of us will then express his/her heartfelt appreciation for all of the good of the past. From Caleb’s manner of praising Moses we learn that it does not suffice to be partially appreciative. It is imperative that we express gratitude for all the different aspects of G-d’s benevolence.
From the book Light from the Future: Parshas Shlach by Rabbi Heschel Greenberg, published by the Jewish Discovery Center.
