Shelach – Peninim on the Torah

“I am Hashem your G-d who brought you out of Egypt to be your G-d.” (15:41)

Rashi cites the Talmud Bava Metzia 61b which suggests a reason that the Torah mentions the exodus from Egypt in conjunction with the mitzvah of tzitzis. During makas bechoros, smiting of the first born, Hashem distinguished between he who was actually a first born and he who was not. Similarly, in the future He will exact retribution from one who places a kala ilan, an indigo dyed wool in his garment and says that it is techeles, blue wool. This seems difficult to grasp. Who is the individual trying to deceive? Is he attempting to mislead the public? Do people…

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Sruly Schnair In Shelach, 5754

“And while the Bnei Yisrael were in the desert, they found a man gathering sticks on the day of Shabbos.” (15:32)

Rashi explains that the Torah is relating Bnei Yisrael’s shame. They had observed the first Shabbos in the desert, and on the second Shabbos an individual profaned it. Why were Bnei Yisrael held responsible for this isolated act of chillul Shabbos? Indeed, they had done everything possible to ensure that the sanctity of Shabbos not be desecrated. The Sifri states that Moshe had even designated guards throughout the encampment to caution people regarding chillul Shabbos. When the people saw this man pick up the sticks, they admonished him not to continue his desecration of Shabbos. When he ignored their warning,…

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Sruly Schnair In Shelach, 5754

“How long (shall I bear) with this evil congregation who keep murmuring against me?” (14:27)

After having witnessed the great miracles which were evident both in Egypt and in their journey throughout the desert, it seems incredible that Bnei Yisrael would so quickly regress back to rebellion. This was no ordinary group of people; they were distinguished leaders who had in the past exhibited exemplary faith in the Almighty. Horav Moshe Feinstein z.l. implies that emunah, belief, founded solely on miraculous revelation, which is devoid of intellectual appreciation, will not endure. One can not attain the maximum level of faith in Hashem impetuously. One is obligated to carefully plan and pursue a diligent step-by-step program…

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Sruly Schnair In Shelach, 5754

“And they (the meraglim) spread an evil report of the land which they had spied out… the land through which we have passed to spy it out is a land that eats up its inhabitants.” (13:32)

Rashi explains the meaning of “a land which eats up its inhabitants.” Wherever the meraglim went, they found the inhabitants burying their dead. They did not realize, however, that this was part of Hashem’s plan to protect them. If the people were occupied with their mourning, they could pay no attention to the strangers. If so, did the meraglim really lie? They did not fabricate any reports which they did not actually witness. Indeed, they related to Moshe and Klal Yisrael only what they personally saw. Why, then, were they punished? The Kotzker Rebbe z.l. explains that “true” and “false”…

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Sruly Schnair In Shelach, 5754

“And what the land is that they dwell in whether it is good or bad… whether there is wood (tree) there or not; and you shall be of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land.” (13:19,20)

Rashi explains the concept of .g, wood, as a metaphor for an adam kasher, an honorable, virtuous man, whose merit will protect the pagans. This explanation however, does not seem to fit into the sequence of the pasuk. What is the meaning of “and bring of the fruit of the land”? What relationship is there between the “fruit of the land,” “its trees, and an “adam kasher“? The Satmar Rebbe z.l. suggests the following explanation. It is difficult to ascertain the authenticity of an individual’s virtue. It is possible to “put on a show” superficially, displaying oneself as honorable and…

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“I am Hashem your G-d who brought you out of Egypt to be your G-d.” (15:41)

“And while the Bnei Yisrael were in the desert, they found a man gathering sticks on the day of Shabbos.” (15:32)

“How long (shall I bear) with this evil congregation who keep murmuring against me?” (14:27)

“And they (the meraglim) spread an evil report of the land which they had spied out… the land through which we have passed to spy it out is a land that eats up its inhabitants.” (13:32)

“And what the land is that they dwell in whether it is good or bad… whether there is wood (tree) there or not; and you shall be of good courage and bring of the fruit of the land.” (13:19,20)

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