Shelach – Page 16 – Peninim on the Torah

“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 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

“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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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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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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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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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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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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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5752

“And they went and came to Moshe and Aharon and to all the congregation of Israel… and they brought back word unto them and to all the congregation.” (13:26)

We may question the redundancy of this pasuk. It should have been sufficient to simply state, “and they brought back word unto them,” why does does the Torah add the phrase “and to all the congregation?” We may suggest that the Torah chose to emphasize the misconduct of the meraglim even in the manner in which they communicated their message. Moshe sent them to investigate the land. Therefore, upon returning from their mission, they should have reported directly to Moshe himself. This may be inferred from the opening pasuk of this parsha, which states, “send for yourself men.” Hashem was…

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Rabbi L. Scheinbaum In Shelach, 5752

“And the people wept in this night.” (14:1)

The Talmud in Taanis 29a comments that “this” night was Tisha B’av, the ninth day of Av, which was to witness Klal Yisrael’s most tragic events. Hashem said to the people, “you wept without a reason, I will cause you to weep in the distant future.” The people’s unjustified desperation in reaction to the alarming report of the spies instigated severe misconduct which, in turn, caused death of that generation in the desert. Moreover, the consequences of that misconduct plague us to this very day. This unwarranted form of depression has been the source of significant problems for Bnei Yisrael….

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“And they went and came to Moshe and Aharon and to all the congregation of Israel… and they brought back word unto them and to all the congregation.” (13:26)

“And the people wept in this night.” (14:1)

YEARS

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