Shelach – Page 14 – Peninim on the Torah

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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5756

“Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces before the entire congregation of the assembly of Bnei Yisrael.” (14:5)

Moshe and Aharon were no longer able to tolerate Bnei Yisrael‘s invidious behavior. Their ranting and raving, their inane fear and lack of faith, were no longer bearable. Moshe and Aharon gave up in frustration. This defeatist attitude is not typical of Moshe and Aharon’s leadership characteristics. Are these the same individuals who stood fearlessly before Pharaoh and demanded that he release the Jews from slavery? Is this the same Moshe who smashed the Luchos to the ground, when he descended from Har Sinai to witness the decadent behavior of Bnei Yisrael, as they worshipped the Golden Calf? Was he…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5756

“And the entire assembly said to pelt them (Yehoshua and Calev) with stones.” (14:10)

It seems that Bnei Yisrael were acting in a totally irrational manner. Hurling stones is something one might do to punish someone or to protect oneself from a future aggressor. Yehoshua and Calev would not have elicited such behavior for either reason. They were righteous people who had never hurt anyone. What effect could they have on the future of Klal Yisrael? They were only two people. This is, however, the nature of those who have alienated themselves from a Torah lifestyle. The diffidence that permeates their every action is manifest in their attitude towards their more observant counterpart. No…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5756

“I am Hashem your G-d, Who has taken you out from the land of Egypt to be a G-d unto you.” (15:4)

The Torah commands us to remember the exodus from Egypt everyday. The Talmud in Bava Metzia 61b explains the juxtaposition of yetzias Mitzrayim upon the parsha of tzitzis in the following manner. Hashem declared, “I discerned between a drop that was a first born to that which was not. I will in the future punish he who places a kala ilan, thread dyed blue with a cheap dye called indigo, and claims it is techeles.” One of the four threads which are to be doubled over into eight should be colored techeles, a form of blue. This dye is prepared…

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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)

“Moshe and Aharon fell on their faces before the entire congregation of the assembly of Bnei Yisrael.” (14:5)

“And the entire assembly said to pelt them (Yehoshua and Calev) with stones.” (14:10)

“I am Hashem your G-d, Who has taken you out from the land of Egypt to be a G-d unto you.” (15:4)

YEARS

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