Shelach – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

Speak to the Bnei Yisrael and say to them that they shall make tzitzis on the corners of their garments. (15:38)

There is an inconsistency regarding the manner in which the mitzvah of tzitzis is introduced. The term “dibur,” speak, is lashon kasheh,strong form of the verb, while “amirah,” saying, is lashon racah, the soft form. Why would the mitzvah of tzitzis be presented through two opposite expressions? Kol Yehudah explains that there are two aspects to the mitzvah of tzitzis. First, there is one who wears a four cornered garment. He must put tzitzis on the four corners of his garment. Regarding him, the Torah speaks – “You must put on tzitzis.” There is another situation which is what we…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shelach, 5758

Send forth men, if you please, and let them spy out the land of Canaan…They brought forth to the Bnei Yisrael an evil report on the Land that they had spied out. (13:2, 32)

One of the most difficult narratives in the Torah to understand is the incident of the meraglim, spies. They went to Eretz Yisrael on an ill-fated mission, to slander the land, Moshe Rabbeinu and even Hashem. The Yalkut Shimoni refers to these meraglim as “kesilim,” fools. They were actually the nesiim of their respective tribes, men who were gedolim, great leaders, whose reputation until that moment had remained untarnished. What happended? What transpired that suddenly changed a tzaddik into a “kesil“? Chazal cite the pasuk in Mishlei 10, “One who slanders /spreads lashon hora is a fool.” They say that…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shelach, 5758

They said to the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael…the land which we traversed …the land is good, very, very much so…(14:7)

The sin of the meraglim is, indeed, difficult to understand. After all, the meraglim did not really tell any lies about Eretz Yisrael. The testimony that it is a land that “eats up its inhabitants” certainly appeared to be true, considering the many funerals that they had witnessed. Veritably, they even recounted that it was a “land flowing with milk and honey.” So, why were they punished to such an extent? The Yismach Yisrael cites his father, who posits that the meraglim were aware of the superiority of Eretz Yisrael. They felt the kedushah, holiness, everywhere they travelled. The…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shelach, 5758

They ascended toward the mountain-top saying,”We are ready, and we shall ascend to the place which Hashem has spoken, for we have sinned. (14:40)

The people were embarrassed. They sought to compensate for their sin. They finally realized that their reaction to the spies’ slander of Eretz Yisrael was terribly wrong. They were, however, too late. Their teshuvah was long overdue. How many times can a people rebel against Hashem, apologize and proceed with life as planned? They would not accept a negative response, insisting upon going on to Eretz Yisrael. They failed; their fate was sealed. They were attacked and thrown back. Why did Hashem reject their teshuvah? They acknowledged, “We have sinned.” What more should they have done? The Ohr Hachaim Hakadosh…

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Moshe Marcovich In Shelach, 5758

That you may see it and remember all the mitzvos of Hashem. (15:39)

The Torah reveals to us that by seeing the tzitzis we might remember all of the mitzvos. Consequently, we will be inspired to perform them. How does this transpire? Rashi explains that the numerical equivalent of tzitzis is 600. In addition, there are eight threads and five knots, bringing it to a total of 613, the number of mitzvos which we are commanded to observe. In the Talmud Menachos 43b Chazal comment that the techeilas, turquoise wool, which was the color of one string of each fringe, brings the Almighty to mind. Techeilas is similar to the color of the…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5757

Send forth men, if you wish, and let them spy out the land…see the land – how is it? And the people that dwells in it – is it strong or weak? And how is the land in which it dwells – is it good or is it bad? And how are the cities – are they open or are they fortified? And how is the land – is it fertile or is it lean? Are there trees in it or not?…But the people that dwells in the land is very powerful…we cannot ascend to that people. (13:2, 18,19,20,28,31)

One of the most tragic incidents in Jewish history, the cheit ha’meraglim, the sin of the spies, played a prominent role in altering the course of history. The fact that the spies were virtuous men, leaders of the nation, when they left on their ill-fated mission magnified this tragedy. In the end, this incident effected ruin upon the entire nation. When all is said and done, a number of issues should be addressed regarding their sin. First, what really was their sin? They were sent on a mission to determine the land’s strengths and weaknesses – which they did. They…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5757

And Moshe called Hoshea Ben Nun – Yehoshua. (13:16)

Chazal tell us that Moshe added the “yud” to Hoshea’s name, so that his name would now begin with the letters of Hashem’s Name. (yud-hay) Moshe apparently suspected that the spies were not acting in good faith. Realizing the disaster that awaited his student, Moshe prayed that Yehoshua be spared and not fall under the influence of the other spies. The obvious question is why Yehoshua merited his prayers more than Calev — or anyone else for that matter? The commentators offer various reasons for this. Horav Meir Bergman, Shlita, cites Horav Chaim Shmuelevitz, zl, who offers a profound…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5757

And you shall look at it, and remember all the commandments of Hashem. (15:39)

The tzitzis stand as a constant reminder of the Jew’s duties to Hashem and of his special relationship with Him. Chazal teach us that the techeiles, blue thread, in the tzitzis symbolizes the sea. In turn, the sea represents the Heavens, and the Heavens allude to Hashem’s Throne. Thus, when a Jew gazes at the tzitzis he should think of Hashem and, consequently, feel an affinity with His mitzvos. We infer from here what it means to “see,” what visual perception stimulates. One can look at an object and see a plain, inanimate form before him. Alternatively, he can…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5757

And you will see it, and remember all the commandments of Hashem, and perform them, and not explore after your heart and after your eyes. .. So that you may remember and perform all My commandments. (15:39, 40)

Chazal tell us that the numerical equivalent of the word tzitzis is 600. The eight threads and the five knots supplement this number to equal 613, the number of mitzvos a Jew is enjoined to perform. The tzitzis, according to some commentators, are viewed as Hashem’s insignia which we, as His servants, wear with pride. The Sefer Hachinuch says that by wearing tzitzis we are wearing Hashem’s emblem. What greater motivation is there for remembering to perform His mitzvos than realizing that we are clothed in the uniform of Hashem’s servants? If so, why do we continue to neglect performing…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5756

“Moshe called Hoshea ben Nun – Yehoshua.” (13:6)

Chazal teach us that Moshe prayed for Yehoshua as he was about to embark on the journey to investigate the land. Moshe suspected that this mission would end in tragedy, and he was concerned lest his student be ensnared in the spies’ conspiracy. The commentators all ask the obvious question: Why did Moshe pray only for Yehoshua? While it was true that Yehoshua was his foremost student, was it not a bit prejudicial to single out one individual from amongst the rest? The commentaries suggest that Yehoshua was more susceptible to the persuasive tactics of his fellow spies. Horav Yaakov…

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Speak to the Bnei Yisrael and say to them that they shall make tzitzis on the corners of their garments. (15:38)

Send forth men, if you please, and let them spy out the land of Canaan…They brought forth to the Bnei Yisrael an evil report on the Land that they had spied out. (13:2, 32)

They said to the entire congregation of Bnei Yisrael…the land which we traversed …the land is good, very, very much so…(14:7)

They ascended toward the mountain-top saying,”We are ready, and we shall ascend to the place which Hashem has spoken, for we have sinned. (14:40)

That you may see it and remember all the mitzvos of Hashem. (15:39)

And Moshe called Hoshea Ben Nun – Yehoshua. (13:16)

And you shall look at it, and remember all the commandments of Hashem. (15:39)

And you will see it, and remember all the commandments of Hashem, and perform them, and not explore after your heart and after your eyes. .. So that you may remember and perform all My commandments. (15:39, 40)

“Moshe called Hoshea ben Nun – Yehoshua.” (13:6)

YEARS

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