Shelach
We scout the land not to see if we can conquer it. We scan the land to see how we can conquer it.
To achieve the objective and realize the dream, Moses sends a twelve-man reconnaissance team to get the lay of the land. They return with samples of the land’s magnitude. Ten of the scouts claim that the objective cannot be met. Caleb and Joshua are adamant that, as the Creator instructed, Israel could certainly conquer the land. When the people hear the dejection of the ten spies, they begin to moan and insist on returning o Egypt. Well, if you don’t think you can enter the land you won’t. The people are thus destined to remain in the desert for forty years until they pass away and the new generation arises. Meal offerings and laws of Challa are conveyed. The intricacies of the fringed heavenly reminders, Tzitzit, are delivered.
Land and See
One of the greatest tragedies of Jewish history was the debacle of “The Spies” in Parshat Shelach. The spies failed their mission: it all came down to sight
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Free Agent
In the case of the Spies in Parshat Shelach G-d said, “I’m not telling you what to do—do as you see fit.” G-d was opening a new arena of human potential.
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A Brighter Future
Small piece of insight by Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch, the Rebbe Rashab, on the present, future and coming of Moshiach.
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Self-Styled Spies
In Parshat Shelach, the distinction in wording between “spies” and “scouts” makes all the difference in understanding the tragedy of the Twelve Spies.
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A Restless Land
Chassidic master Rabbi Yitzchak of Varka explains the deeper significance of “it is a land that consumes its settlers” in the bad report in Parshat Shelach.
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Doubly Small
Worse than feeling inferior to one’s adversaries is being concerned about how one is perceived by others, as explained in Parshat Shelach.
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Subjective Judge
Insight into judgement: The only power on earth or heaven that can judge man is man himself.
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The “Impossible” Dream
Caleb’s role in the tragic story of The 12 Spies in Parshat Shelach.
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Bitter Knowledge
Insightful words by the Rebbe Maharash: “In truth, we could be rid of the oppressors of Israel. But the Jewish people prefer the bitter medicine”.
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The Rebbe’s Memory?
“I do not add ‘his soul is in Eden’ to my father’s name – I am not about to assign him an ‘address.’ As far as I am concerned, Father has not departed.”
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