Say to them: As I live — the word of G-d — if I shall not to do to you as you have spoken in My ears. In this wilderness shall your carcasses drop… And your young children of whom you said will be taken captive, I shall bring them; they shall know the Land that you have despised. (ibid. 31,33)

These faithless fathers who lacked trust in G-d express fear for their lives and exasperate over the fate of their poor children who will then be open prey to their enemies. G-d decrees that their spoken fear of death in the wilderness will indeed be realized, but their concern over their children being taking captive will not actualize, for they will merit to enter the Land.

However, the Ramban interprets the verse that states 'And your young children of whom you said will be taken captive' as a declaration by G-d that the children of whom you spoke — will [indeed] be taken captive!

In the first reading G-d was challenging their assumption taking them to task for their misguided thinking.

In the second version G-d is punishing them for their negativity and telling them that signed their own fate — they will die, and their children will be taken captive.

The Ramban asserts that embedded in this verse is the famous decree: 'On this night [Tisha B'Av] you cried for naught; I will make this a night crying for generations to come!'

But doesn’t the verse say that G-d will bring the children into the land?

He explains that the second half of the verse — indicating that their children will enter the land — will only be an interlude where 'they shall know the Land that you have despised' but not yet inherit it. If they falter, they will be cast once again into exile.

What is the purpose of this tease? On the one hand they will enter, yet the children are doomed to be captive through thousands of years of exile.

Why does G-d emphasize that exactly as they 'predicted' so will it come true? Is this a display of one-upmanship? Certainly not.

The negative attitudes a parent possesses will inevitably impact damagingly a child. Dissatisfaction is contagious, and a child is the most susceptible to this disease. One who truly cares about their child will strive to live with positivity, real faith, and encouragement. One who can only focus on self-interest, constantly frustrated when one's needs are not met, will create an atmosphere of resentment and spite that will engender the same attitude within the child. One who truly loves their child will display optimism, selflessness, and joy even in the face of lack.

Rav Moshe Dovid Valle, a foremost disciple of Rav Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, avers that these children's fathers failed them, so G-d their Father in Heaven, Who loves more than their earthly fathers, leads them like a shepherd [who] tends his flock, with his arm he gathers lambs, and in his bosom, he carries [them]...

Although their children would face exile when they echo the errant ways of their parents, G-d sought to bolster them with an injection of His love, enthusing in kind a reciprocal love in turn for His gift of the Land. They would face many challenges, growing through the battles they would fight against negativity, until such time as they would perfect their attitude, thereby achieve a permanent bond with the Land, inheriting it forever.

The only way we influence our children towards positiveness and optimism is by modeling it in our own lives.

But as for עבדי — My servant Calev, since he was possessed by another spirit, and he followed Me, I will bring him to the land to which he came, וזרעו יורישנה —and his descendants will drive it[s inhabitants] out. (ibid. 14 24)

The Ohr HaChaim HaKadosh wonders why Calev is emphasized as 'My servant' more than Yehoshua?

He interprets the description of Calev being 'possessed by another spirit' as alluding to his greater inner struggle with his inclination. It is for that reason he fled to pray at the Mearas HaMachpela, at our forefathers, to gain the confidence and verve to withstand the temptation to succumb. It was for that extraordinary accomplishment that he earned the appellation, My servant.

The Gerrer Rosh Yeshiva, Rav Shaul Alter, adds that is why the Torah states specifically by Calev 'that his descendants will drive its inhabitants out', and inherit the land.

A child who observes a parent who hurdles one's challenges driven by love and commitment to G-d, will emulate it in kind.

We stand in awe of the families living in Israel facing incessant volleys of missiles, suffering much loss of life, limb and property, yet remaining steadfast in their faith and commitment to live and thrive.

We must learn from these heroes how to never lose our sense of direction, forge on undefeated, continue to grow in those challenges.

May we raise a generation of children that will develop that optimism and merit our final return to our cherished Land!

באהבה,

צבי יהודה טייכמאן