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This week’s Torah portion, Shelach, tells the story of the twelve scouts sent to survey the Land of Israel. They all see the same landscape, but return with wildly different conclusions. Ten describe a land of giants and threats. Two—Joshua and Caleb—see possibility.

It’s a portion about vision, for sure, but also about fear, about how easily our fears can distort what we see.

This feels especially resonant right now. So many of us are walking around carrying the weight of difficult headlines, painful decisions, or private worries. And in moments like this, it’s easy to focus on the giants, to feel overwhelmed, outmatched, or simply too small to change anything.

But Shelach reminds us that fear doesn’t get the final word. Caleb’s response to the ten spies is powerful: “We can do this!” His comment is not one of blind optimism. It’s a decision to believe in something more than the worst-case scenario and groupthink.

As Shabbat arrives, maybe we take a cue from Caleb. Maybe we pause long enough to catch our breath and shift our focus. May we find the space to notice what’s still good, still possible, what is still worth building toward.

Whatever giants you’re facing this week, may Shabbat give you strength and the vision to see more than fear allows.

Shabbat shalom