But the men (who were sent to spy the land) said: We are not able to go up to the land … because it is inhabited by the Nephilim, giants … and we were as grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so were we in their eyes. (Numbers 13:31–33)

But the men (who were sent to spy the land) said: We are not able to go up to the land … because it is inhabited by the Nephilim, giants … and we were as grasshoppers in our own eyes, and so were we in their eyes. (Numbers 13:31–33)

Entering this world and being born into it is an extremely frightening experience. This is perhaps the most important reason why we cry once we leave the womb. We enter a world where we are surrounded by Nephilim—giants—who terrify us. And we want to return to the womb, which gave us all the protection we needed for nine months.

This world consists of Goliaths who peer over our cribs, making faces and noises that we do not understand.

So too it must have been to stand at the entrance of the Land of Israel. We were frightened and wanted to return to the desert, where God had miraculously looked after us. We suddenly realized that our complaints in the desert were nothing compared to this great challenge confronting us: the world.

That we see ourselves as grasshoppers in our own eyes may sometimes be a good thing, giving us a sense of humility. But when we convince ourselves that we look like grasshoppers in the eyes of our enemies, allowing them to define us, it means that we will never become who we are meant to be. Even in old age, we will still long for the crib of our infancy.

It is sadly true of many people that their epitaph could read: “Expired at age 12. Buried at 90.”

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