Naftali Berg was a yeshivah student that wished to study in a university. Now, most yeshivah students remain in the halls of Torah study, or end up in the business sector. However, they accomplish all of that and more without going to university. Naftali and the Rebbe discussed this matter in a private audience.
“Are intellectual pursuits your aim, or do you want to study in college in order to make a living?” the Rebbe asked him.
Naftali responded that he believed earning a college degree would enable him to secure a better job and a stable livelihood. Although the Rebbe was very clear that he opposed the university idea, Naftali insisted, and the Rebbe eventually consented with a condition. “In order to protect yourself from the college environment, you should have a set Chassidut session before starting your studies.” Naftali accepted the challenge, and would actually heed his early morning Torah session for decades. He excelled in his studies at the university and eventually worked in the Pentagon as an engineer. There, he was one of the only religious workers with a beard, and received much respect from his colleagues.
His strong Jewish roots and top position made him a target for Israeli intelligence. He was approached by several governments including Israel to sell classified documents. However, he refused to cooperate and eventually Jonathan Pollard was contacted. Naftali’s story is similar to that of which we read in Parshat Shelach.
Spies
Moses saw that the nation was worried about entering the land of Israel. He felt that he needed to strengthen their belief in G-d’s word. Therefore, he sent a group of spies to scout the land and bring back fruits. Moses intention was for the spies to calm the people and make them excited about the land. When the people would see the amazing fruits and hear the report of a land of flowing milk and honey, their fears and pretenses would disappear.
All of the spies were righteous and the mission began on the right foot. However, soon two groups were formed: Yehoshua & Caleb versus the other 10 spies. The 10 felt a need to warn the nation that the land was too great for G-d to help them conquer. Their spy report would be filled with foul intention. Yehoshua & Caleb realized this lack of faith and refused to join the others. Yet this would lead to an even greater dilemma.
Teacher versus Student
Moses had instructed all of the spies to bring back fruits. An instruction from your leader is to be followed by all means. However, how could they? By bringing back fruits they would be helping the others in scaring the people. “You see how big these fruits are, so are the people…” is what the spies would say.
They also knew that when there is a difference in opinion between a student and his teacher, we must follow the teacher’s instruction. In this case G-d, was the teacher and Moses, the student.
Since G-d instructed the Jewish nation, not to put a stumbling block in front of a person (i.e. cause a person to sin), Yehoshua and Caleb could not bring the fruits. Even though, the student, Moses, had a different opinion, but in the end G-d’s instruction, the teacher needed to be followed.
Lesson
The lesson from this story is about not mixing in to the perfectness of the Torah and it’s leaders (i.e. Moses). You see Moses was not wrong, for sending the spies. It was a grand idea, but became a disaster when the spies decided to make conclusions and change the real intention of the mission. It was like a person that goes on a business trip, and comes back with a report all about the casinos and restaurants he visited during the trip. The focus is lost.
The opposite is also true. When someone is not in the best situation, but proper intent is placed in it. Like when the Rebbe asked Mr. Berg about his purpose in going to university. He adamantly wanted to go, but did he have the proper intentions? Was his faith in in G-d, or in the paper? The Torah study would guide him to have the proper intent.
Our Torah teachers are our guides, and we can never forget them. This week we commemorate the Yahrtzeit of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, a true leader of the Jewish people. May this day awaken us to live lives with better intent and hasten the coming of Moshiach!
