The maftir of this week's parshah features the mitzvah to place tzitzis on a four-cornered garment. Why does the mitzvah of tzitzis appear at this juncture in the Torah?

The Torah presents tzitzis as a reminder to observe the mitzvos. (Bamidbar 15:40) However, the manner by which tzitzis functions as a reminder is not merely like the function of a string that one ties around his finger or a rubber band that one places on his wrist in order to remind him to do a task which he fears he will forget. Rather, via the techeiles-dyed threads, tzitzis serves to imbue a cognizance of Hashem's Presence; the techeiles color reminds one of the heavens, which brings to mind Hashem's glory. (Menachos 43b) When looking at techeiles, one is reminded that Hashem is watching his actions and is in control of all that transpires. (V. Ramban on Bamidbar 15:40.)

In Parshas Shelach, we read that only the new generation of B'nei Yisroel would make it through the Midbar (Desert) and reach Eretz Yisroel. Whereas the older generation was witness to Hashem's miracles in Mitzrayim and on the Sea, and it heard Hashem's voice at Har Sinai and felt the trembling and observed the smoke-covered mount when Hashem revealed His Presence, the young generation had none of these faith-endowing experiences. Rather, its faith would be instilled through hearing Moshe Rabbeinu teach the Torah and through studying the mitzvos.

This is where tzitzis comes in. As B'nei Yisroel are about to embark on a new course of training in religious commitment, in which their attachment to Hashem and their adherence to His Word would be cultivated primarily through teaching rather than through the experience of overwhelming and breathtaking miracles, tzitzis - which serves as a constant reminder of Hashem's Presence - would be a core and indispensable feature, as it would provide inspiration and fortify emunah (faith) at a time when inspiration and emunah would no longer be instilled by way of staggering and earth-shaking miracles. Tzitzis, which constantly teaches and reminds one of Hashem's omnipotence and transcendence, is the introduction to the new stage in B'nei Yisroel's training and commitment that is commenced in this week's parshah. Tzitzis signals that under the new circumstances, in which the generation that would enter the Land would not experience the seismic nisim (miracles) of old, an alternative means of inspration would be needed. This is why the mitzvah of tzitzis appears specifically here.  

The lesson to be learned is that one must consistently, on an ongoing basis, proactively renew and fortify his personal faith-training and sense of inspiration. It is not enough to observe mitzvos and to live among others who are of a similar mindset and lifestyle. True adherence to Torah requires aggressive focus on strengthening our emunah and Torah outlook, always refueling and reinvigorating our commitment to Hashem and His mitzvos. Anything less breeds religious stagnation and decline.

It took the generation after the Meraglim (Spies) close to 40 years to become trained in their commitment to Torah. We, who lack the inspiring, face-to-face teachings of Moshe, surely need to take the message home and actively focus on our relationship with Hashem, immersing ourselves in the Torah’s teachings and enthusiastically pursuing its inspiration, so as to be uplifed and energzied toward its outlook and in our beliefs.