WEEKLY TORAH
WEEKLY TORAH
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PARSHAT SHLACH
This Shabbat we bless the new month of Tammuz and Rosh Chodesh is Thursday, June 26th and Friday. May it bring to us the blessings of Hashem.
Parshat Shlach opens with the story of the Miraglim, the twelve spies sent by Moshe Rabbenu to explore the land that Hashem promised to the Jewish people.
This episode would become one of the most tragic in our history because ten of the twelve spies returned with a negative report causing panic and rebellion among the people.
Our sages point out that just last week we learned of the dire consequences of LASHON HARA (gossip), when Miriam spoke about her brother Moshe and was punished. How sad that the Miraglim didn't learn that lesson before they gave their report. How strange too, that twelve people can share the same experience, see the same sights and visit the same places, yet ten will focus on the negative, while the other two see the positive.
My Rebbe, Reb Alef Bais suggests a reason why people can see the same thing so differently. Bamidbar 13:26 begins with the words "VAYELCHU VAYAVO'U EL MOSHE V'EL AHARON." They (the Miraglim) went and came back to Moshe and Aharon. Went and came? Obviously, they first had to go in order to come back! The Torah wastes no words. What is meant by their going and coming?
My Rebbe answers that this Pasuk teaches that the way they went, is how they came back. Those who started out with faith in Hashem, saw only good things in the land and came back with their faith intact. Those who had a different agenda, they too saw what they wanted to see. They saw giants, fortified cities and no chance for victory. They went with a negative attitude and came back the same way.
Perhaps, the message to us is that we tend to see what we want to see in life. Are you looking for faults in others, things lacking in your life and how other people have more than you? You'll find it! Are you focused on: judging others favorably, how blessed you are, and how Hashem does everything in your best interest? Then you will find this as well. And as you leave...so shall you return.
Kol Tov! Our best to you...it's all good. Shabbat Shalom, CM
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Our Parshah also contains the famous statement from the Sh'ma Yisroel warning us not to explore life with our hearts and our eyes, for as the spies, we may also be misled. If hearts and eyes can lie, which faculties should we use to guide us to truth?
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