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PORTION DATE HEB DATE NEVIIM RENEWED Sh’lach 9 Jun 2018 26 Sivan 5778 Num. 13:1-15:41 Jos. 2:1-24 Matt.10:1-45

go for yourself) which is ,שְׁ לַח-לְָׁך אֲנָשִׁ ים) This week’s Torah portion starts with shˋlach-le•cha ana•shim .lech-le•cha) of your country” in Genesis 12:1 לְֶך-לְָׁך) different from Abraham when Hashem said, “ out Abraham was told by Hashem to leave his country whereas in this week’s Torah portion, it was the people that came to Moshe and demanded him to send spies to the land of Canaan.

The Israelites were in the desert for 13 months after leaving Egypt. We learned last week that Hashem commanded the people to keep the appointed time, Pesach (Passover) on the 14th of Nisan, 2449. Some men then came to Moshe and told him they could not keep Pesach because of their impurity. Hashem then told Moshe they are to keep Pesach Shenini (Second Pesach) on the 14th of Iyaar, a month after Nisan.

On the 20th of Iyaar, 2449 the people left Hazeroth and camped in the wilderness of Paran. In Deuteronomy 1:21-23 shows a sequence of events leading up to the mission: “See, YHWH your Elohim has set the land before you: go up and possess it, as YHWH Elohim of your ahvot (fathers) has said to you; fear not, neither be discouraged. And you came near to me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search out the land, and bring us word again of which way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come. And the saying pleased me: and I took twelve men from you, one per tribe.”

Moshe told the Israelites that Hashem gave the land of Canaan to them and they should not be afraid entering the land. Still, the people wanted to send spies to the land. Moshe consulted with Hashem and He said, “Go forth yourself,” which means the people can decide what they want to do. This is disturbing because the people witnessed and experienced miracles firsthand by Hashem. They were thirsty and Hashem gave them water. They desired meat and Hashem gave it to them. They saw the Sea of Reed divided and walked on the dry bed between the waters. The Torah is telling us that despite the miraculous experiences, they still lacked emunah (faith) in Hashem and Moshe. Moshe hoped that once he reassured the Israelites, they would change their minds and not send spies. When that did not happen, Moshe sent them and their reports demoralized the Israelites.

Why did the people want to send spies despite all the miracles they experienced? The answer lies in the First Samuel 8:7, Hashem says to Samuel, “Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say to you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them.” They had trust in Hashem but not strong enough to overcome this physicality. They wanted a king like other nations around them. Here in Numbers, underlies jealousy and arrogance that they can do better.

Why did Hashem and Moshe allow the spies to enter Canaan? It is logical to survey the land before entering the hostile land to determine enemy’s strengths and weaknesses. The spies did follow Moshe’s order. Moshe said to them “go up… into the Negev” which is a desert, and then into the country. They brought all the information ordered by Moshe. Yet they were punished. The answer to the question is “free choice.” The animals, plants, rocks, stars, moons, everything Hashem created follows all the laws set by Hashem. In such situation, He is called Elokim as Hashem of Severity or Judgment as they (the nature and the universe) follows strict laws set by Elokim. They cannot deviate from His plans, including angels. The ultimate gift Hashem has given us is a “free will.” From the very beginning of Genesis, Hashem told Adam not to eat from the Tree of Knowledge. Adam made “a choice” using “free will” to break Hashem’s command and ate the fruit. Hashem desires us to be His children from “the choice” we make.

Parashat Shelach, June 9, 2018 Page 1

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Before we go any further, let us establish timeline in the Book of Numbers shown in Seder Olam:

Numbers Time/Date/Duration Event(s) 1:1 1st second month, second year Hashem commands Moshe for census be taken; (1st Iyyar, 2449 After Creation) Laws given in 1:1 to 19:22 at the consecration of the Tabernacle or given during the second year starting from the first of Iyyar (second month); Numbers continues in v. 20:1 with the 40th year after the Exodus; No record of 38 years except for the list of resting places (Ch. 33) and at the end of Deut. 9:1 1st month, second year Hashem commands Israelites to keep Pesach (Nisan 2449) 9:3 14th first month, second year First Pesach kept in the desert (14th Nisan, 2449) 9:6-11 14th second month, second year Second Pesach kept in the desert (14th Iyaar, 2449) 10:11 20th second month, second year Stayed in the wilderness of Sinai from 12 months minus (20th Iyaar, 2449) 10 days based on assumption the Israelites never travelled more than one day from one recorded way station to the next. Also, event that happened at a certain place happened on the first day of their stay there. Cloud rose from Tabernacle 11:19-20 Stayed 30 days Graves of Desire (Kivroth-Hattaavah) 12:15 Stayed 7 days Stayed in Hazerot due to Miriam’s leprosy 13:20 28 or 29th third month, second Moshe sent out spies; year BT Taanit 29a: Moses sent the spies on the 29th of Sivan (28 or 29th Sivan, 2449) and returned from touring the Land after 40 days. 13:25 9th fifth month, second year 40 days spies return; (9th Av, 2449) Tammuz is a short month of 29 days. To return to a regular year, they added one day while waiting for the spies to return. 16:14 Unknown Korah challenges Moses.

After the incident of spies was a quarrel with Korah, no dates are available until the 40th year after the Exodus. Deuteronomy 2:14 says, “And the time from which we came from Kadesh-Barnea, until we came over the brook Zered, was thirty-eight years.” The Israelites wandered back and forth for 19 years and dwelt in Kadesh for 19 years as said, “So you dwelt in Kadesh many yamim (days), according to the yamim that you dwelt there.”1 They stopped at 42 places during their journey in the wilderness.2

Returning to chapter 13:2, therefore “send men” is not to test them whether they were worthy to enter the Land. Such thought is unreasonable as Hashem would not place a stumbling block (Hashem forbid) before

1 Deuteronomy 1:46 2 Numbers 33 Parashat Shelach, June 9, 2018 Page 2

בייה the blind. Rather, Hashem knew that if Moshe did not allow to send the spies, they would assume that the Land was bad despite Moshe’s reassurance of fertile land waiting for them. On the other hand, if they went to the Land without the approval of Moshe, it is same as rebelling against him. Therefore, Hashem is now speaking to Moshe to “send men.”

The men (vs. 4-15) chosen by Moshe were leaders who were upright and leaders amongst their tribe. However, these are not princes mentioned Hashem in Numbers 1:5-15, rather most likely they were chosen to by their prince to represent his tribe. Unlike the princes in chapter 1, the leaders selected in chapter 9 except for Caleb and Joshua dies “by the plague before Hashem.” (14:37) What were their sins? Slander (14:36)

The sages teach the spies committed one of the worst sins the Israelites committed. The first one was a sin of the Golden Calf, and the other is lashon hara (slander) in this week’s Torah portion. The end result of lashon hara: Since your cried (14:1) for no reason, I will give you a reason to cry. On the 9th of Av (Tisha B’Av), both Temples fell on this day, the first Temple fell for idol worship and the second for slandering.

Another aspect of their sin was: the spies were scared for their livelihood. As long as Hashem was with them, they did not have to work hard at all. The manna digested completely, thus no waste product came out, plenty of food and water for everyone. They were protected from the natural hostile element. As they went forward, the Shekinah went out before them and killed all the vipers and scorpions.

Most of all, they knew that Moshe was not entering the Promised Land with them and they were afraid that Joshua was not as good or strong as Moshe as a leader. How did they know this? Eldad and Medad were prophesying in their tent (11:26), and the people who heard their prophesy knew that Moshe won’t be with them when they enter the Land. And the people thought as long as Moshe was alive, they were safe. For this reason, they did not want to enter the Promised Land.

However, when they enter the Promised Land, Moshe won’t be with them and they have to give up all these luxuries they enjoyed in the desert. They have to sweat for food, fend off wild animals, not enough sleep, guarding livestock day and night, and fight with their enemies even giants! Oy vey!

Who are the giants? Where do they come from? The Nephilim were descendants of Shamhazal and Aza‵el from heaven during the generation of Enosh. The Anakites who were part of (נפילה ;who fell (naphal Nephilim so tall3 they could anak the sun – wear it around the neck.4 “We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight,” when they heard Anakites talking to each other who said, “There are ants in the vineyards that looks like people!”5

Shamhazal and Aza‵el were heavenly hosts who watched over the welfare of men. When they saw men falling into temptations and lusts, they went to Hashem. They asked Hashem they should go down to the earth and bring the people back to Hashem’s way. Hashem said, “Do you think you can resist from temptations and lusts?” Thus came the race of giants.

We are talking about the power of desire. This world has so much temptations, it is a wonder the world still stands awaiting for the Messiah. One of the notable temptation is a sport, whether it be a football, basketball,

3 Amos 2:9 4 The Commentators’ Bible, Numbers, p. 97 5 ibid Parashat Shelach, June 9, 2018 Page 3

בייה soccer, golf, hockey, etc. Many people are entangled in them. They know names of the players, their sports’ statistics, and even their lives. All these take time away from the study of Truth and Knowledge Hashem provides. It is alright to exercise to maintain overall physical health. Anything beyond that is an obsession. I have seen soccer moms chasing their kids to and from their child’s game. And they have no time to study nor know Hashem in the Scripture.

Another aspect of Rashi is pointing out that if a person makes a choice whether he is walking with Hashem’s plan or not, he will know the choice Hashem has given him. When we walk the path of His plan, there is an absolute peace and His aura of blessing. If he chose wrong path, Hashem will allow it but He won’t help you with the choice you make. Such was the case with the angels, He already knew what was going to happen to them, but still He allowed them make the choice.

Now, let us examine the questions asked of the spies and their response. The spies selected by their prince was distinguished men when they left the camp. When they returned, they were slanderous! How could such righteous men become tainted in 40 days?

Verse Moshe’s Question Verse The Spies’ Answer 18 And see the land, what it is; and the 29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and people that dwell there, whether the Hittites, and the Yevusites, and the Amorites, they be strong, or weak, few, or dwell in the mountains: and the Kanaanites dwell many by the sea, and by the coast of the Yarden. 19 And what the land is that they dwell 28 However the people are strong that dwell in the in, whether it be good, or bad; and land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and what cities there are that they dwell moreover we saw the children of Anak there. in, whether in tents, or in strongholds. 20 And what the land is, whether it be 27 We came to the land where you sent us, and surely fat, or lean, whether they is wood it flows with milk and honey; and this is the fruit there, or not. And be of good of it. courage, and bring of the fruit of the land.

Abarbanel says that the spies committed four crimes6: (1) in verse 26, the purpose of spies’ mission was to discover enemy’s strength and weakness. Therefore, the report should be made in secrecy to Moshe and Aharon. Instead, the spies brought their report to the people at the same time. (Numb. 13:26) (2) in verse 27, instead of saying “we came to the land Hashem is giving us”, they said “we came to the land you sent us.” The mission of Moshe was to lead the people into the Promised Land. It was Hashem who gave the Promised Land to the Israelites, not Moshe. (3) in verse 27, the spies said, “Indeed, it flows with milk and honey, and this is the fruit of it.” The answer was not in sequence to Moshe’s question. (4) in verse 28, the spies did not have to add “however” in their words as it implies of dire consequences. The Hebrew word ,(efes) means “however”. Other versions of the bible translates same word as “nevertheless” (NKJV) אֶפֶס “but” (NIV), “yet”(RSV). Ramban agrees and says that the word “however” implies a situation where there is no possibility7 of success.

6 The Commentators’ Bible, Numbers, p. 95 7 ibid Parashat Shelach, June 9, 2018 Page 4

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The spies “brought back words to them” in verse 26 is also interesting. Let’s compare this verse with Joseph who “brought to his father evil reports about”8 his brother. (Gen. 37:2) The key words are “brought back” .(va•ya•shi•voo o•tam, brought back to them) וַיָשִׁ יבּו אֹתָ ם ,and “brought… reports”. Verse 26 reads in Hebrew yo•sef et-di•ba•tam ra•ah; Joseph brought evil reports). In case of) ”יֹוסֵ ף אֶ ת-דִׁ בָתָ ם רָ עָה“ ,And in Genesis Joseph, the word is devar (word). Joseph came to his father with truth and direct report without blemish. Whereas in case of the spies, they came to Moshe with the intent to deceit him. For this reason, instead of answering Moshe’s question in order, the spies changed the orders to have greater negative impact on their reports.

In 76:6 (5) says, “The stout-hearted are bereft of sense…and none of the men of might could lift a hand.” The words “bereft of sense” and “none…could lift a hand” apply to Moshe and Aharon, who sent out the scouts. When the spies returned and spoke slander about the Land, no one knew what to do - even Moshe and Aharon could not “lift a hand.”9

Moshe says “And see the land, what it is; and the people that dwell there, whether they be strong, or weak, few, or many.” (13:18) If the people lived in camps, they were strong because they relied on their strength. But if they lived in a walled town, it means they were “weak” as they relied on the wall to survive.

“And what the land is, whether it be fat, or lean.” (13:20) How could the spies determine whether the land is rich or poor? “Examine the stones and pebbles of the soil – if they are like granite, the fruits are heavy, succulent,10 but if they are brittle like earthenware, the fruits are poor, and shriveled.”

“And they ascended by the south, and came to Hevron.” (13:22) The correct translation is, “And they went va.ya.bo, singular verb) to Hevron.” The , וַיָבֹא) va.ya.a.loo, plural verb) by the south, and he came) )וַ ייַ עֲ לּו( sages teach the spies went together using the traders’ route by going south, but Caleb broke away from them and he alone went to Hevron to pray on the graves of patriarchs. He prayed that he would not be part of the counsel from the spies which indicates the spies were discussing what they intend to do. Thus Hashem said, “But My eved (servant) Kalev, he had another Ruach (Spirit) in him.” (14:24)

“And they went and came to Moshe” (13:26) “and said, ‘We came to the land… it flows with milk and honey (13:27)… we saw the children of Anak. (13:28)’” They began by speaking well of the land and end by speaking ill. Thus the spies were slandering.

“The land… is a land that eats up its inhabitants.” (13:32) The explains wherever they came, a Canaanite dignitary would die, so that the Canaanites would be occupied with his burial and would not inquire of the spies. Hashem was protecting the spies through the death of Canaanites for the benefit of the spies. But the spies interpreted the signs as bad. Some commentators says that Job had died and the Canaanites were occupied with his burial. And they did not inquire of the spies. The spies interpreted the burial and its eulogy as “a land that devours its inhabitants.”11

In another view, Maharsha12 explains Job was a righteous man who lived in Canaan during the time of Moshe. And while he was alive, his merit protected the Canaanites. When he died, such protection was

9 Sefer Ha-Aggadah, p. 89 10 Numbers Midrash 16:12 11 BT, Sotah 35a 12 Shmuel Eidels, 1555 – 1631, a Hebrew acronym for "Our Teacher, the Shmuel Eidels” Parashat Shelach, June 9, 2018 Page 5

בייה removed. That is why Kalev said, “their defense is departed from them.” (14:9) He explains that Job’s prominence ensured that he would be eulogized throughout the country. The spies, witnessing so many eulogies, assumed that they were for many different individuals. Thus, they said “The land … is a land that eats up its inhabitants.”13

“Even those men that did bring up the evil report from the land, died by the plague before Hashem” (14:37) shows they died by the plague. What kind of plague was it? The tongue of each spy grew so long that it reached down to his navel, and worms crawled out of his tongue into his navel and from his navel into his tongue. “Measure for measure” was their punishment as they lied with their tongue. “Before Hashem” means that they died by the plague that befitted them.14

Even though, the major theme of this week’s Torah portion is about the sins of the spies, there are other topics15: The spies, wine libation, challah, sacrifices, the desecrater, and in sequence. He explains the Promised Land represents chidush ha-olam (the renewal of the world). Moshe was able to attain forgiveness for the spies by arousing da’at (awareness of Hashem) by bringing the people into repentance. The wine libations follow the account of the spies (Numbers 15:1-16) because wine, too, arouses da’at (Yoma 76b). By drinking wine, a person can experience da’at and return to Hashem.

The laws of challah (15:17-21), by separating challah, we rectify the blemish of any food that we have eaten solely for physical nourishment and attain the spiritual nourishment of those foods. We have explained previously the effects of consuming clean and unclean food. This in turn (by eating clean food) rectifies faith, but not the consumption of unclean food; thus, the laws of sacrifices that atone for idolatry follow the laws of challah (15:22-26). And these are followed by the story of the one who desecrated Shabbat (15:32- 36), for Shabbat and the Festivals represent faith. At the end of the parashah, we read about the tzitzit (15:37-41), for it represent the chut shel chesed (thread of lovingkindness) that effects forgiveness.16

13 ibid 14 Sefer Ha-Aggadah, p. 91 15 Rebbe Nachman’s Torah, Numbers Deuteronomy, p. 60 16 Ibid, Likutey Halakhot I, p 50a Parashat Shelach, June 9, 2018 Page 6