Parashat Sh’lach starts with the following words God said to Moses: “Send agents to scout the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelite people; send someone from each of their ancestral tribes, each one a chieftain among them.” (Bamidbar 13:2). In this Torah portion, we read about twelve spies who are sent to explore the Land of Israel. Ten out of these twelve spies come back with a report that demoralised the nation. They did confirm that the land flows with milk and honey, but they also spoke about the people who live there being strong and tall, and cities being very large and fortified. The nation believed them and wasn’t very eager to go to the Land of Israel. Only two of the spies, Joshua and Caleb came back with positive reports and said that they can conquer the land because God is with them.

The question arises: how did the people who went out of Egypt not long ago, crossed the Red Sea and fought the Amalekites come back so afraid after scouting the Land of Israel? Where were the faith, confidence, and strength we saw in so many other episodes? God’s response to the lack of confidence of the ten spies and people who listened and believed them instead of believing Joshua and Caleb, was punishing them with 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. Only Joshua and Caleb lived to enter the land.

I can’t help but wonder how confidence plays a big role in our lives, both personal and professional. How do we show up with confidence when we find ourselves in unknown and unfamiliar situations? Do we still believe in ourselves, do we pretend, or do we show fear? And how do we teach confidence, whether it’s with our children, residents, or learners? Rabbi Sacks says that every leader’s task is to show people confidence: One of the fundamental tasks of any leader, from President to parent, is to give people a sense of confidence: in themselves, in the group of which they are a part, and in the mission itself. A leader must have faith in the people they lead, and inspire that faith in them. I invite you to keep these words in your mind next time you find yourself in an unfamiliar situation.