Confusion Conclusion

“These are their names: For Shevet Reuven… For Shevet Binyamin… For Shevet Zevulun… For Shevet Gad… (Bamidbar 13:4-15)

The list of the Meraglim, the spies, starts out in the standard order: Reuven, Shimon, and then Yehudah, because Levi didn’t send a spy. But suddenly, the list goes haywire. Yissachar, Efraim, Binyamin, Zevulun, Menasheh, Dan, Asher, Naftali, Gad. Why?

The Ramban says that the Meraglim are listed in the order of their chashivus, the greatness of the individuals. But then why wouldn’t Yehoshua, from Shevet Efraim, and Kalev, from Yehudah, be listed first?

The Seforno suggests the list is in age order. But that’s also a problem, because Yehoshua was older than Kalev (Rav Yisrael Reisman, Shiurim al Chumash).

The end of the school year always sends me into a tailspin. While I don’t have to contend with the lengthy summer vacation they have in the States, the three weeks of meshugasim here are enough to put me in a tizzy.

There are no sleepaway camps, barely any day camps (certainly not for a growing boy who thinks those are for babies). Plus, although my kids are on vacation, those three weeks herald my busy season at work as we advance toward the Yom Tov issues.

My boys are eager to entertain themselves, but personally, I don’t find it entertaining to have my house transformed into a petting zoo or a roller blading obstacle course. And trying to work like that? It’s more like total brain freeze. I simply can’t think under those circumstances.

Ever try coming up with a catchy title for an article while your kids are playing catch with an unripe melon? Trust me, the title would read something like: See(d)ing Is Believing.