Shelach – Peninim on the Torah

“And the people wept through that night.” (14:1)

According to the Talmud in Taanis (29a) “that night” refers to Tisha B’av, the day to be known as the most tragic day in Jewish history. The greatest tragedies befell us on that day. The Talmud in Sanhedrin (104:b) cites a reason for this: “Because you wept so unnecessarily on this night, I will establish this night as one on which you will cry for all time.” It seems that our weeping and undeserved protest and complaints were the cause of Tisha B’av. This over-indulgence and over-reaction was an extreme expression of a lack of faith and trust in Hashem….

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5751

“And we were in our own eyes as grasshoppers and so we were in their eyes.” (13:33)

The Kotzker Rebbe Zt”l remarks that this statement was considered to be one of the sins of the spies. Although it was wrong to be bothered by their own smallness in contrast to the giants of the land, it was also improper to be concerned by the people’s opinion of them. What interest was it to them in what manner they were being viewed by others? The sentiments of others shouldn’t affect a man’s rightous mission. Perhaps we may add that this feeling of inferiority displayed by the spies was the source of their misinterpretation and slanderous views of Eretz…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5751

“And what the land is, whether it is fat and lean, whether there are trees therein, or not.” (13:20)

Rashi explains that “.g” (tree) serves as a metaphor for an an honorable, righteous man who will protect the country by his merit. This explanation seems peculiar, for if Moshe was inquiring as to the presence of a righteous honorable man, should he not have sent the spies searching in the houses of prayer and study? Why did he send them to the public thoroughfares of the city, and to the gardens and orchards? When a city has righteous and honorable rulers, it reflects their presence in all areas of the city proper. The influence of a great person…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5751

“One man, one man, of every tribe you shall send.” (13:2)

The commentaries draw various conclusions regarding the distinction between the failure of Moshe’s “spies” in contrast to the success of the spies sent by Yehoshua, as the Bnei Yisroel were prepared to enter Eretz Yisroel. Regarding the spies that Moshe sent, the Torah states that each tribe sent its own representative. Each tribe, related only to its own personal interests, was not comfortable with another tribe’s emissary, and demanded its own delegate. This discord and mistrust amongst brethren led to the disgrace of Hashem’s Name. In contrast to this, we find that Yehoshua sent only two men to search out…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5751

“Send for yourself men that they may spy out the land of Canaan.” (13:2)

Rashi explains that Hashem told Moshe “according to your understanding, I do not command you.” Since all the people came and requested to send out spies… Moshe took counsel with Hashem; He said, “I have told them it is good, therefore, as they live, I shall give them the opportunity to err through the words of the spies.” It is very difficult to understand why Hashem would allow the spies to go forth, knowing the impending disaster that awaited them upon their return. If their mission was doomed, why weren’t they restrained from going? There is a lesson for educators…

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“And the people wept through that night.” (14:1)

“And we were in our own eyes as grasshoppers and so we were in their eyes.” (13:33)

“And what the land is, whether it is fat and lean, whether there are trees therein, or not.” (13:20)

“One man, one man, of every tribe you shall send.” (13:2)

“Send for yourself men that they may spy out the land of Canaan.” (13:2)

YEARS

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