Overview
of the Weekly Reading: Shlach
To
be read on 23 Sivan 5764 (June 12th
)
Torah:
Numbers 13:1-15:41
Haftorah: Joshua 2:1-24 (the two spies sent
to Jericho)
Shlach is the 4th Reading out of 10 in Numbers
and 37th overall, and 25th out of 54 in overall length.
Pirkei
Avot: Chapter Three
Shlach
(Numbers 13:1- 15:41) begins by relating how Moshe sent the 12 spies to explore
the Promised Land. Ten of the spies subsequently gave an evil report which influenced
a majority of the people. Because of the Jews’ apparent disbelief in G-d’s ability
to conquer the Land, the adult men of that generation were decreed to perish in
the desert during the next 38 years (see the Book of our Heritage for a detailed
account). Despite the decree, a group of Jews defiantly attempted to enter the
Holy Land but were defeated by Amalekites and Canaanites. The next section describes
the details of meal and dough offerings, and communal and individual sin offerings
for committing idolatry inadvertently. Next is the story of a man caught gathering
sticks in violation of Shabbos and his death as consequence. The Reading concludes
with the mitzva to separate challah from dough, to wear fringes (tzitzis) with
a special strand of blue on four cornered garments and not to be drawn after your
heart and eyes.
FROM
THE MASTERS OF KABBALA (K:37-64/Shlach)
From the holy
Zohar, teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai
(Z:37-64/Shlach)
"And
see the land and what it is...." (Num. 13:18) See through her [the eyes of the
Torah] that [spiritual] world which is the land you will inherit and go up to
[after you leave the physical world].
For the full article, click
to the "Weekly Torah" section on our KabbalaOnline
site.
* * * * *
From
the holy Ari, Rabbi Yitzchak Luria of Safed
(A:37-64/Shlach)
This
is also the mystical meaning of the verse "[Send for yourself men who will spy
out the land of Canaan] that I am giving to the children of Israel". The verb
"am giving" is in the present tense, meaning: "These men whom you are now sending
to spy out the land that I am giving now to the Children of Israel are themselves
the [progenitors of the] tribes, who are called 'the sons of Israel'.
For
the full article, click to the "Weekly Torah" section on our KabbalaOnline
site.
* * * * *
From
the Shelah, Shney Luchot HaBrit by Rabbi Isaiah Horowitz
(S:37-64/Shlach)
This
is the meaning of the expression "trumah to Havayah", i.e. a gift to the attribute
of Mercy, which is mentioned in Num. 15:21. This is the deeper meaning of the
statement in the Midrash that the word "Bereishit" means "on account of that gift
which is called "reishit" (i.e. "challah"). Blessing devolves upon the world because
of the fulfillment of this commandment. The reason the challah is to be given
to the priest is so that the blessing will come to rest on your houses. Thus far
the Rekanati.
For the full article, click to the "Weekly
Torah" section on our KabbalaOnline
site.
FROM
THE CHASSIDIC REBBES (V37-64/Shlach)
"A land which eats its inhabitants." (13:32)
The
spies didn't want the Jews to enter the land, because while they were in the desert
they didn't have to deal with material matters. They ate manna, water was provided,
and even their clothes were cleaned and ironed. Once they entered Israel, they
would be busy farming their land and providing sustenance for themselves. Therefore,
the spies felt it would be better to remain in the desert so the Jews would have
more free time to study Torah.
(Likutei Torah)
A
MYSTICAL CHASSIDIC DISCOURSE
from
the Chabad Master series, produced by Rabbi
Yosef Marcus for
www.ascentofsafed.com
and www.kabbalaonline.org
An
essay from Rabbi Shaul Yosef Leiter, director of Ascent
(for a free weekly email subscription,
click here) (W:37-64/Shlach)
What
was unique about the spies? First, they were chosen by Moshe. Moshe's most unique
quality was that, while he was the greatest prophet of all time and spoke face
to face with G-d, he was still a human being of flesh and blood. So similarly,
when Moshe chose the spies, he chose them for that quality, to live in the world,
and yet be a vessel for spiritual truth. The second quality of the spies was that
each was a prince of his tribe, possessing all of the special qualities of that
tribe. What was the spies' mission? To strengthen themselves by scouting out the
Land. Even more important was the task of taking fruits of the land of Canaan
(the future Land of Israel) and make them Jewish fruits. This process would break
the impurity of Canaan, preparing it for the Jewish conquest. Just imagine how
the members of each tribe would feel when they heard how the spies performed G-d's
command, even at the darkest time, when Canaan was not yet under Jewish rulership,
how they traveled through Canaan gathering the required fruit. Everyone would
come to realize how easy it would be for them to successfully conquer the Land.
This teaches us that when a person takes stock of his surroundings, and sees that
it is like the land of Canaan, unconquered territory filled with spiritual dangers,
it may appear out of his grasp. But on the other hand, a person must know that
it is his purpose to make even the distant and hostile into a dwelling place for
G-d, transforming it into a place of spirituality and truth. A person could think,
"It's beyond my capabilities", or "Someone has made a mistake", or "I might be
ready for the mission soon, but certainly not yet". The answer to this person
is in this week's portion. Just as Moshe chose twelve leaders, so too, in each
and every Jew there is a leader with leadership qualities. The most important
and powerful quality of a leader is faith-faith that when a mission presents itself,
it is because G-d gave him the ability to overcome the obstacles and succeed.
What is so powerful about this quality of faith is that we have it as an inheritance.
When a person receives an inheritance, regardless of whether he wants it or not,
he become the owner of that legacy. Receiving an inheritance does not depend on
a person's preference, logic, or perception. Just by virtue of being the child
of a certain person, he becomes the inheritor. So it is with our faith that we
received as a legacy from our forefathers. This is a legacy, and we have no choice
about it. With this faith, we have what it takes to overcome any obstacles and
fulfill our mission. The challenges we experience are sent to us so that we may
prove to ourselves and to others that we are fit for this great responsibility.
When we understand this, nothing can stop us. The accounts of the Torah are not
just tales, but come to teach lessons. The lesson here is that each person is
placed in a certain environment, within which he works, eats, sleeps, makes a
living, etc. Suddenly, one morning he sees that there is a certain aspect of holiness
missing. Even if his first reaction is, "I am the last one to be able to transform
this situation", he must remember the teaching of the portion, "Shlach-Send the
people". Remember that you have the ability to transform your environment, no
matter where you are or what personal obstacles you think you have. Yehoshua and
Calev showed us the way. They said, "G-d is with us, let us rise and conquer".
Rabbi Mendel Futerfas was imprisoned for twenty years for spreading Torah in the
Soviet Union as a representative of the Rebbe Rayatz. He once asked a fellow prisoner,
a professional tightrope walker, "How is it that you do not fall?" The man answered,
"The secret of not falling is to always concentrate on the goal, the final point
at the end of rope".
Shabbat
Shalom, Shaul Leiter
(for a free weekly email subscription, click
here)
For all our insights
for this parsha:
from
last year
from
two years ago
