* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
1. It is especially critical this week that we feel connected to our roots— that we understand who we are and the significance of our national story. This week we will read Parashat Shelach, the third parasha in the Book of Bamidbar.
2. This parasha is better known as the story of the spies. Before the Israelites enter the Land of Israel, 12 spies are sent to scout out the land while the nation waits for them in the desert. Ten of the spies return with a negative and discouraging report that negates the divine promise concerning the land: They declare that the nation cannot succeed in conquering the land for its inhabitants are too mighty. Only two of the spies maintain that the land is good and that God desires for us to enter the land— that we have an important message to communicate to the world and a particular task to fulfill.
3. Who was proven right at the end? Yehoshua and Calev, the two spies who were in the minority. The Torah tells us that they were “imbued with a different spirit”— the ability to stand firm against the majority of their fellow spies, proclaiming that “the land… is an exceedingly good land. ”But the people believed the 10 spies and gave in to fear and despair. They cried in vain that they wanted to return to Egypt. Consequently, our punishment was decreed: 40 more years of wandering in the desert. Our redemption and entry into the land of Israel would be deferred to the next generation.
4. At the end of the parasha, following the story of the spies, we are presented with two very familiar mitzvot: hafrashat challah (separating the challah from the dough) and wearing tzitzit. Today there are so many women performing the mitzvah of separating challah and so many men choosing to wear tzitzit. Our commentators explain that God gave us these specific mitzvot in order to teach us to sanctify even the smallest details of our lives: the clothes that we wear and the bread that we eat.
5. This Shabbat is also called Shabbat Mevarchim because we will bless the month of Tammuz, which begins next week.
Shabbat Shalom and may we hear good news soon.
Chodesh tov.
