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In the beginning of Parashat Shelach, Moshe sent 12 spies, one from each Sheivet, to go and scout out Eretz Cana’an. Their job was to see how many people were there, whether the towns were opened or fortified, whether the soil was rich and poor, and to bring back some fruit of the land.

After 40 days, the spies came back and told Moshe, Aharon, and the rest of Bnei Yisrael that the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey, but that there were very strong giants occupying the land. Only Caleiv and Yehoshua believed that Bnei Yisrael could overcome the giants, telling the nation that if they believed in Hashem, He would bring them to a land overflowing with milk and honey. “Ach BaHashem Al Timrodo ... VaHashem Itanu Al Tira’um,” “Do not rebel against Hashem, if Hashem is with us, there is nothing to fear” (BeMidbar 14:9). This lesson that Yehoshua and Caleiv were teaching Bnei Yisrael was a vital one. Sforno (ibid) explains that when the Canaanites saw the 12 spies they did not attack; if they saw a whole nation they would be all the more afraid to attack.

But, it is not just in the case of war that Hashem is with the Jewish people. Day in and day out, Hashem will always be by our side helping us overcome the many obstacles put in front of us. As the first mitzvah in Sefer HaMitzvot, Rambam states that we are commanded to believe in Hashem, as it says “Anochi Hashem Elokecha” (Shemot 20:2). At all times we are charged with having faith in Hashem, believing He is overseeing the world and running it the way it should. The optimal Emunah, however, is in regard to Et Tzara. In times of trouble, we must pray and reach out to Hashem, showing that in our darkest hours, our trust is in Him and not in some other source. We have to recognize that we are His chosen people and He will always be there to help us.

In Parashat Shelach, this was not the reaction of the people. Bnei Yisrael stammered and cried, pleading to Moshe and Aharon to bring them back to Egypt. As a result of this, Hashem appeared angry, saying “Ad Anah Yena’atzuni Ha’Am HaZeh, Ve’Ad Anah Lo Ya’aminu Bi” “How long will this Nation spurn Me, and how long will it take them to trust Me?” (BeMidbar 14:11). The most optimal action is to show our belief in Hashem, believing that He will always bring us the best outcome possible. However, even though Hashem became angry with and punished Bnei Yisrael with extra years in the Midbar, the following Perek speaks of many different Mitzvot Bnei Yisrael would have when they entered Eretz Canaan. No matter how harshly we act towards Hashem, He will be forgiving, offering us the opportunity to do Teshuva and fix our mistakes.

This is highlighted with the last Mitzvah presented in the Parashah, the Mitzvah of Tzitzit. The Tzitzit are a reminder that we must have belief in Hashem and fulfill his commandments, and not to walk away with our Yetzer Hara to fulfill other urges or go find someone else to believe in. It is a reminder that Hashem brought us out of Egypt in order to be our G-d. He will not abandon us in times of need and He will always be looking out for us. We must believe in Hashem and trust Him. Just as He will remain devoted to us, we remain loyal to Him.