The 12 spies went into Israel and found a land flowing with milk and honey. The fruit was so bountiful that it took eight of the spies to carry a giant cluster of grapes on poles – that is the symbol of Carmel wines until today. Only two of the spies, Joshua and Calev, said that the Jewish people could succeed in conquering the land. The other 10 spies said it was not possible because the cities were too strong and that they were inhabited by giants. The spies said: “We were like grasshoppers in our eyes and so we were in their eyes.” The Kotzker Rebbe says that these words were the main sin of the spies. What is so bad about grasshoppers, anyway?

Answer:

When you first started to learn to ride a bike, and it was tall and you wobbled a lot, you probably said at one point: “This is too hard – I can’t do it.” The same is probably true of many new things you try that are difficult. How do you overcome your fears and succeed at the new project? Not by saying: “I’m nothing but a grasshopper – I can’t do this.” You can only succeed if you say to yourself: “This may be hard, but I can do it!” The bottom line is, if you believe in yourself, then you will succeed. The very fact that Hashem gave you the challenge means that He believes you can do it – and if Hashem believes in you, then you have every reason to believe in yourself too! The spies said: “We feel like grasshoppers, so the giants must see us as little grasshoppers too!” How did the spies know what the giants in Israel thought? They could not possibly know how the “giants” felt about them. The spies should have just got on with their job, without worrying what “other people” were saying about them. So too, we should do what is right, under the direction and guidance of our parents and teachers – and we shouldn’t worry what other people may be “saying.” As long as we are doing the right thing, have a positive attitude, and ask Hashem for help, then we will succeed!