Shabbat Gathering: Seeing into the heart.

Brian D. Johnson

20 Jun 2025 • 4 min read

Gud Shabbos Khaveyrim, as is our custom, we will gather tonight at 5.45p ct to welcome Shabbat. These are the coordinates:

Zoom
Meeting ID: 883 8469 4181
Password: 822665
Phone: +1 312 626 6799

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Here we go.

This week’s Torah portion is about the twelve spies Moses sent to scout Canaan as the Israelites approached it on their trek through the wilderness. Among those spies were Caleb and Joshua. When the spies returned from their mission, they reported Canaan was rich in milk and honey and fruits and vegetables of every kind but ten of the spies said that the Canaanites were giants and would crush the Israelites like bugs. Naturally, this agitated the people. A commotion broke out.

But Caleb and Joshua disagreed with the conclusion the rest of the spies reached. Caleb told the people to hush. Then he told them that it didn’t matter how big the Canaanites were because the Israelites were on a mission from G!d and would prevail. Caleb told the people that they should trust Hashem.

What was it about Caleb and Joshua seeing the same thing as the rest of the spies and yet reaching a different conclusion? I think it must be faith and vision. Caleb and Joshua could see more than the rest of the spies. Caleb and Joshua put more store into what they saw in their heart. They saw the miracles in Egypt. They knew in their heart, that G!d protected them.

If I’m ever tested, I hope I have Caleb and Joshua’s faith. I hope I can see more than the obstacles in my path. I hope I can see the possibilities and remember G!d’s promise. I hope I can rest in the confidence inspired by my faith in Hashem.

And may it be for all of us a blessing.

See you tonight!
Mit vareme grusn,
(With warm regards,)

All my love,
brian.