Shelach: precedents 2010

Shelach: precedents

Sometimes the parsha is called Shelach lecha. This leads to a contrast with 2 other parshioth that share the words: Lech lecha and Vayishlach.
In lech lecha, Gd tells Avram to go to the promised land, the land promised to his descendants, not to him ( as it ends up for the generation of shelach lecha). Avram goes to this foreign land and we are introduced to its motley population ( Sodom, Aylonei Mamre, Pelishtim, etc).  Rashi says that the Lecha in Lech Lecha  means that the move will benefit Avram.  In shelach lecha, the lecha means a battle of wills, as if Gd says,"Have it your way."
 
In Vayishlac, Yaakov anticipates his return to the land of the sojourn of his immediate ancestors.  He is afraid of the current occupier of the (adjacent) land, his brother Esav.  So he sends messengers  of appeasement before him.  Chazal report that he prepared to ease his passage by any and all means: diplomatic ( sending gifts), military and divine intervention. Unlike his descendants in Shelach  lecha, attempting to enter the land by ordinary means did not disqualify him. (Things change)
 
In Behalosecha, the parshah that precedes Shelach, we have Moshe doubting Gd's ability to deliver. A depressed Moshe taunts Gd by saying that all of the fish in the sea would not suffice to feed the People the meat that they are demanding.  And Gd answers  that Moshe will see that Gd can deliver.  For Moshe, at that juncture, his doubt was not a mortal sin.  A similar doubt by the people destines them to die in exile.
 
Do the right thing.