A pious person once said, “We were given two eyes: one very powerful for introspection, so we should find out smaller faults; the other very weak, for viewing others. Only, too often, we switch their functions.” It is interesting to note that the sin of the spies is found juxtaposed to the sin of Miriam gossiping about her brother, Moses. Rabbi Zelig Pliskin teaches the difference between these two sins. Miriam spoke out against a person; the spies spoke out against a land.

Rabbi Yisrael Ordman, of Telshe Yeshiva in Lithuania wrote that a person who finds fault with mundane things–meals, lodging, entertainment, and the like will also find fault with people. On the other hand, a person who always seeks to find good in all will also find good in their fellow human being. The spies missed this lesson: to notice virtue rather than seek fault.

We know that only two spies, Joshua and Caleb, returned with a positive report. They saw the same land as all the others, but the reports were completely contradictory.

How do we look at the world in which we live? Do we focus only on the faults, the challenges, and the cracks, or do we also uplift the quiet heroes who change our communities for the better? 

We, too, have an opportunity to learn the lesson the spies missed. Let us ensure our eyes perform the right functions, to see God’s glory in the everyday. Each morning, we say pokeach ivrim, we thank God for opening our eyes. This week, let’s not just say these words; let’s perform this action, acknowledge the good in someone else-call them, text them, and let them know that their goodness is noticed.