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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shelach, 5753

“In this desert shall fall your carcasses.” (14:29)

Several commentators question the justification of the severe punishment of Bnei Yisrael. Indeed, the report the spies presented was a direct and accurate response to Moshe’s inquiries. Their only mistake was their own judgmental assessment of what they had seen, suggesting that Bnei Yisrael would be unable to successfully invade the land. They simply expressed their opinion! We may suggest the following idea. Bnei Yisrael were taken out of Egypt and until now Hashem had well provided for them. Moshe was their leader, specifically chosen for this position by Hashem. The assessment of the given situation should have been made…

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Home -> 5753 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shelach, 5753

“And the whole congregation said to stone them with stones.” (14:10)

The Talmud in Sotah 35a says that they never aimed the stones at the men, rather they threw them in the direction of Heaven. There seems to be a dispute about what occured – were the stones originally aimed at Heaven? Or, rather, did Hashem’s Cloud of Glory descend and “catch” the stones? We may suggest a homiletic rendering of this Chazal. Bnei Yisrael chose to hurl stones at their leaders, because of their “dissenting” views. They did not realize, however, that hurling “stones” or other epithets at Gedolei Yisrael is tantamount to hurling stones at Heaven! Our Torah leaders…

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Home -> 5753 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shelach, 5753

“And Moshe called Hoshea Ben Nun, Yehoshua.” (13:16)

Rashi cites the Midrash which states that Moshe pronounced a prayer over Yehoshua, “May Hashem deliver you from the counsel of the spies.” Why did Moshe pray only for Yehoshua and omit his loyal companion Calev? Perhaps Yehoshua’s close relationship with Moshe singled him out, so that the spies suspected him of sympathizing with his rebbe, Moshe. Calev, on the other hand, was of the rank and file, whose true sympathies could be concealed until a propitious moment. Indeed, this afforded Calev the opportunity to boldly speak up against the multitude in support of Moshe. This later earned him the…

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Home -> 5753 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shelach, 5753

“And Moshe called to Hoshea Ben Nun, Yehoshua.” (13:16)

The Midrash explains that Hashem took the “yud” of hra and added it to gauv to form a new name, gauvh. Horav Nissan Alpert, z.l., states that this attachment to Sarah was by specific design. In order for our people to conquer and rule Eretz Yisrael, it was necessary for Yehoshua to be imbued with Sarah’s hashkafa, philosophy. Sarah emphatically expressed her opinion regarding the proprietorship of Eretz Yisrael. It belongs to Bnei Yisrael and to no one else. With determination and resolve, she demanded of Avraham, “Cast out this maidservant and her son, for the son of the maidservant…

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Home -> 5753 -> Shelach

Rabbi L. Scheinbaum
In Shelach, 5753

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

Rashi cites the Midrash which questions the juxtaposition of the chapter discussing the spies upon the chapter dealing with Miriam’s speaking lashon hora against Moshe. It states that the Torah sought to emphasize the spies’ iniquity. They saw the punishment meted out to Miriam for slandering Moshe, and they, nonetheless, spoke lashon hora against Eretz Yisrael. They should have heeded the lesson inherent in Miriam’s punishment. Horav Chaim Shmulevitz, z.l., derives from this Chazal that Hashem’s punishment is presented as a corrective measure, rather than punitive. It is Hashem’s way of communicating displeasure with an individual’s deeds and a warning…

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