By Rabbi Zalman Tiechtel
Chabad of KU
When the fifth Chabad Rebbe, Rabbi Shalom Dovber, was a young inquisitive child, he asked his father why were we each given a set of two eyes but only one mouth and one nose. His wise father gently explained to him that this was to give one “perfect vision” – to always look at the important things in life with your right eye, while at meaningless items, only with your left.
In this week’s Torah portion “Shlach” the word “Ur’eetem – And you shall see” occurs twice. The first is when the spies are sent by Moses to in-vestigate the Promised Land; and the second time is at the very end, in the chapter on the mitzvah of tzitzit. The same word, Ur’eetem, is used both times; yet there is a stark contrast between these two chapters.
The first time, with the spies turned tragic, becoming a time of “weeping for generations.” On the other hand, in the second instance, the word Ur’eetem is a positive one: looking at the fringes is a way to remember all G-d’s commandments and to observe a G-dly spiritual life.
It all depends on how we look at things and where we go looking. If we only look at the land, at that which is earthly and material, the world is crass and careless, helter-skelter and hollow. But when we raise our sights and lift our heads heavenward, we see so much more. When we utilize our unique human mind power and spiritual potential, we can better discern the wood from the trees, the lofty from the low.
Take a moment to look around your family, your business and your personal life. Look with your right eye and see the good in people. Open your left eye only when it comes to earthly and meaningless pursuits. Surely, there is a higher purpose in life. There is a deeper meaning to what meets the eye. To be a people of vision, we must always look up-ward.