The Fruits of Peace

In Parshat Shlach (Bamidbar 13:20) the scouts were instructed to bring back souvenirs from their visit to the Land of Israel:

“…You shall strengthen yourselves (vehitchazaktem), and you shall take some of the fruit of the Land.” Those days were the days of the first ripening of the grapes (y’mei bikurei anavim).

The scouts travelled the Land as instructed.

In verse 23 we read about the fruits that the scouts selected:

They came to Nachal Eshkol and there they cut down a vine branch, and on it was a cluster of grapes, which they carried on a pole between two men. They also took some pomegranates and figs.

In Melachim I 5:5 we see that when figs and grapes are listed together as blossoming they signify peace and tranquillity:

Yehuda and Yisrael dwelled in safety, each person beneath his grapevine and fig tree, all of the days of Shlomo.

This concept appears in the future prophecy of Micha (4:4) as well:

Every man will sit beneath his grapevine, under his fig tree with none to trouble him, for the Lord of hosts has spoken.

However, when the figs and grapes are not growing, they become a sign of destruction.

As we read in Yirmiyahu 8:13:

I will eradicate them thoroughly, declares God. No grapes on the vine. No figs on the fig tree. Even the leaf is withered. That which I gave them will pass them by.

We also see this idea in Habakuk 3:17-18 but with a more optimistic take:

Though the fig tree will not flower, nor will fruit fill the vines, olives will grow gaunt and grain fields yield no produce, sheep will be removed from their pens and cattle will not be found in their sheds, yet I will delight in God. I will rejoice in the God who will save me.

Chizkuni explains that the scouts needed to be strengthened as they were visiting during the days of the first ripening of the grapes while guards were out protecting the vineyards.

The scouts stood strong and cut down the grapes yet nobody said a word.

Rav Moshe Glante points out that the word “vehitchazaktem” comes from the word “chazaka,” to take hold or to legally take possession. By taking the fruits, the scouts were legally taking possession of the Land of Israel. This is codified in the Rambam as well as in Choshen Mishpat 192 where taking a cluster of grapes from a vineyard is considered a “chazaka.”

When the scouts returned, they showed the fruits to B’nai Yisrael and admitted that it was a fruitful land flowing with milk and honey yet afterwards they spoke badly about the land. Only Calev and Yehoshua defended the land.

HaGaon Rav Menachem Zamba brings the teaching of the Ari HaKadosh that the mitzvah of Bikurim (bringing the first fruits to the Temple) is a “tikkun”, correction for the scouts who did not want to enter the Land of Israel. The bringing of the Bikurim shows our love of Israel. Therefore, we only bring the fruits of the Shivat HaMinim, Seven Species of Israel. When teaching the laws of Bikurim, the Mishna, Bikurim 3:1 specifically focuses on figs, grapes and pomegranates- the three fruits that were brought back by the scouts.

A modern tikun for the sin of the scouts is taking place right now. With the beginning of Israel’s attacks on Iran and the closing of Israel’s air space, many Israelis have been stuck abroad begging to return. Even though the air space is closed, exceptions are being made for Israelis abroad. The first flight just came in this morning. As well, Israelis who are stranded in Cypress are even making arrangements to return by boat. These Israelis are following the path of Calev and insisting that they in fact do want to be in the Land of Israel.

May we once again be able to bring our Bikurim which are already growing in the modern State of Israel. May we win this war which is taking place on multiple fronts so that we can continue to live in peace and tranquility beneath our grape vines and fig trees.