Shelach
Yehoshua 2:1-24
הִנֵּ֛ה אֲנַ֥חְנוּ בָאִ֖ים בָּאָ֑רֶץ אֶת־תִּקְוַ֡ת חוּט֩ הַשָּׁנִ֨י הַזֶּ֜ה תִּקְשְׁרִ֗י בַּֽחַלּוֹן֙
You tie this length of crimson cord to the window
In Shemoneh Esrei, we express our deep feelings of thanksgiving daily with the words והמרחם כי לא תמו חסדך מעולם קיונו לך - And the compassionate one, for Your kindnesses have never ended, always have we put our hope in You. The word k’vinu in this phrase is related to a word in this week’s Haftorah, תִּקְוַ֡ת חוּט֩ הַשָּׁנִ֨י - a length of crimson cord (Yehoshua 2:18). The root of the word תִּקְוַ֡ת, length, can be traced to the word kav, line, as expressed by the posuk in Yeshayahu חרש עצים נטע קו, the woodworker stretches a line. Interestingly, kav is also the same shoresh (root word) for the word tikvah (hope). What is the relationship between kav - line, length, and hope?
A dot is a single point of focused attention that provides a reference point. While dots are about marking out a fixed position, a line leads somewhere, your eyes seeking one or both of its endpoints. This movement and direction makes lines inherently dynamic. When you connect lines, you create something tangible with dimension and depth.
A person is like a dot, set at a particular time and place. But as a person engages with others, lines are formed and the elements of movement and direction are added. There is a sense of before and after. Finally, when connecting these lines, a person has the ability to create, build and leave their mark on this world.
When Rachav was told to put a length of crimson cord out her window, she was affirming her allegiance to the two spies and to the Jewish nation. Her relationship was based on the risk she took for the Jewish people and the trust the spies put in her when they visited her home. Ultimately, it was this connection that saved her life as well as determined the military success of the battle of Yericho and of future battles.
It is the relationships we make with each other that give us hope and ultimately gratitude for connections and close ties. In times where we may feel disconnected from each other, let us take a moment to reach out and express appreciation and recognition in an effort to create hope for a better future.