blogs/rabbi-huberman

Returning to New York this week after a brief visit to “snowbirds” in Florida, I experienced something quite unremarkable:

My flight was delayed.

Perhaps it was due to the thunderstorms around New York or the fog on the ground; the reason doesn’t matter. While waiting, I went to the Delta lounge to catch up on emails, and I noticed a magazine in a stand across the room.

The publication was Business Traveler—Ideas that Move You. As I thumbed through its glossy pages, an intriguing article entitled: “The Importance of Being Weird” caught my eye.

I was in.

Written by professional mentor Ceri Hand, the article stressed the importance of managers embracing their “core individuality.”

She notes that many leaders are successful because they are not afraid to bring their quirks, individuality and, yes, even “weirdness” to the job.

She concludes that, “Being weird isn’t about eccentricity for its own sake—it’s about doubling down on what makes you you.”

“A common fear is that embracing uniqueness will alienate others. Yet the opposite is true,” she states.

I thought, what a refreshing bit of advice—so in line with this week’s parashah.

Have you ever wondered why it took 40 years for the Israelites to journey to the Promised Land? We learn the answer this week.

God commands Moses to select a leader from each of the 12 tribes and send them on a secret mission into Canaan to gather intel.

How tall are the inhabitants? Is the land fertile? Are the cities fortified?

They return after 40 days and release their reports: Joshua and Caleb conclude that with God’s support, the Israelites can conquer the land.

Caleb is primed for the fight: “Let us by all means go up and we shall gain possession of it, for we shall surely overcome it.” (Numbers 13:30)

But the remaining 10 spies aren’t so sure. “We cannot attack that people for they are stronger than we are. All the people that we saw there were men of great size.

“And we looked like grasshoppers to ourselves and so we must have appeared to them.” (Numbers 13:33)

And so public opinion changes: The fearful and overly cautious majority unites, and the nation begins pining for those good old days in Egypt.

“The whole community broke into loud cries and wept that night.” (Numbers 14:1)

God becomes infuriated and considers destroying the entire population, leaving Moses to lead a newer, more optimistic nation.

But Moses convinces God to be patient. For barely two years after liberation from Egypt, the spirit of slavery endures.

God listens to Moses and forgives the Israelites but insists that this older generation needs to die out, to be replaced by hose who possess a new attitude, untethered to old tropes and biases. 

And that is why the Israelites spent a full 40 years in the desert.

As I sat in the airport lounge, I thought about the connection between that magazine article and the weekly Torah portion, and how both relate today’s “me first, look at me, conformity culture.” 

There are those who crave to be part of the stagnant majority, and then there are others who long to break free and go against the flow, even when their views contradict popular opinion.

And that is reflected in the positive attitude of Joshua and Caleb.

This ancient optimism can extend to the current historic battle in the Middle East, as we recall the marching orders God gave to Joshua following Moses’ death.

Chazak V’Ematz. Be strong and resolute.

Even today—when it is hard to be part of the minority—we can rise above pessimism, if we remain true to our Jewish values and sense of justice.

This week’s Torah portion reminds us that each of us can be a giant rather than a grasshopper, if we are willing to assert who we are.

For we are all tired of “canned” responses by companies, form letters, and politically correct politicians. What we truly crave is a little individuality—and a truly human response.

No wonder so many are turning to AI to communicate. We have become so predictable—so generic.

It may have taken 38 extra years for the Israelites to enter the Promised Land, but the proof is clear. We are still talking about—and naming new generations after—Caleb and Joshua.

As for the other 10 who encouraged the majority of Israelites to stagnate within the status quo, I cannot easily name one.

This week’s parashah is not just about faith. It is about having the courage to express our individuality even if, at times, we are in the minority.  

Often, we are seen as enigmas—a bit “weird” to others—but pride, optimism and individuality remain central to our continued success and survival. 

Studies reveal that Jews are most respected when—rather than trying to fit in—we proudly express and embrace who we are. 

Perhaps—as the magazine article shared—rather than obsessing about being liked and fitting in, we should consider bringing our uniqueness and even a bit of eccentricity to the table every day.

As the author notes, “In an age when authenticity is the most valuable currency, leaning into what makes you unique isn’t an advantage—it is essential.”

It means standing tall and embracing the future with faith and conviction.

As Joshua and Caleb espoused more than 3,000 years ago, by embracing our uniqueness, rather than passively merging into the majority, “We shall surely overcome it.”

Indeed, by embracing our uniqueness, individually and as a people, we can overcome anything. 

Shabbat shalom, v’kol tuv.

Rabbi Irwin Huberman.