When you Choose Shabbat, you choose to learn that every Shabbat is different and special. Last week I learned about Parashat Shelach (שְׁלַח), the 37th weekly Torah portion in the annual cycle of Torah readings.
According to Wikipedia, Shelach (שְׁלַח), Numbers 13:1 to 15:41, contains 5,820 Hebrew letters, 1,540 words, 119 verses and makes up 198 lines of the Torah scroll. The parashah tells the stor”y of the twelve spies sent to assess the promised land, commandments about offerings, the story of the “Sabbath violator” and the commandment of the fringes (צִיצִת, tzitzit).
Rabbi Michael D Klein of Temple Torat Emet offers his insights on this week’s Torah reading, Shelach:
“An interesting question! Why would G-d and Moses agree to the request by the elders to send spies to scout out the Land of Israel? This request is an exhibition of the lack of faith that even the leaders of that generation had toward the ultimate goal of inheriting the Land. Did the leaders and perhaps, even Moses, need reassurance that the goal was attainable?
The spies report accomplishes the opposite of what was sought after. Instead of reassurance it created greater doubt and even rebellion which resulted in the demise of many people who then attempted, in defiance of G-d’s will, to storm up the hills toward Israel and were utterly routed. Ultimately G-d decrees that the entire generation who were liberated from Egypt would perish in the desert except for Joshua and Caleb who did not lose faith.
What is the lesson contained in this narrative? Everyone, when facing uncharted territory in their lives, needs to map out a plan and be reassured that their future goals are worthy. To chart a course without considering G-d’s will in our future is shortsighted and foolhardy. Very often, people come to me with the desire to receive a blessing for some endeavor they wish to pursue. I always ask them, “Did you pray to Hashem for success in your planning?”
I am reminded of the words of Psalm 127 which says, “unless the L-rd help build the house, they labor in vain that build it”. Every plan that we make for the future must contain an element of faith and belief that G-d will be there to guide our path. If, like the spies, we are overcome by the potential obstacles in our path and not include G-d’s assistance in our plans, then we will never achieve our goals. In whatever we plan to do, may G-d always be there to guide us on the proper path and help us achieve the worthy desires of our hearts with proper planning and abounding faith.
Questions to Ponder.
- What are 2 of important mitzvot contained in this Sedra after the narrative of the spies?
- What is the purpose of taking challah from the bread dough before it is baked?
- What is the purpose of wearing Tzitzit – fringes?
- Why are offerings required for inadvertent wrongs committed by individuals or the community?”
Rabbi Michael D. Klein attended Yeshiva College of South Florida and served as Torah Reader, Hebrew teacher, Chazzan and spiritual leader of various synagogues throughout South Florida. In January 2015 he became Ritual Director, Bnai/Bnot Mitzvah instructor and 7th grade Hebrew instructor for Temple Torat Emet of Boynton Beach. In October 2019 he was accepted into an accelerated track and received his shicha from Yeshiva Adath Wolkowisk and has been the Rabbinic leadership of Temple Torat Emet since August 2020. In September of 2022 he was appointed Rabbinic and Spiritual Advisor of the Florida Region of FJMC.
Choose Shabbat; choose to celebrate, to light candles, sing songs and learn a little Torah.
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