From The Rabbi’s Study…Shabbat June 28, 29, 2024/22, 23 Sivan 5784
This Torah portion contains the ten spies and their report, the children of Israel rebel,the punishment for the children of Israel, rules pertaining to a myriad of sacrificial offerings, and Tzitzit, which are the fringes on the prayer shawl.
The twelve spies that Moses sent into Canaan and their report reflected from ten spies as almost impossible to conquer, while two had a more positive report of conquering Canaan. While the Torah appears to be warning us that if we look upon ourselves as being small and insignificant, ours will view us as weak. Jews today realize that if we do not respond to Antisemitic attacks, whether horrific ones like October 7th or the small amount taken from our religious freedoms and being part of the societies, which lead to the Holocaust, then the Jewish People appear weak on the world stage.
Another reason why as Jews living in the diaspora (lands outside Israel) or in the State of Israel in times of peace and definitely in times of trouble ALL Jews Are Responsible for One Another! An attack on one is an attack on ALL the Jewish People! AM Ysrael Chai! Long Live Israel!
Another interesting Torah the Haftarah connection is in this week’s Sabbath drash.
The Torah has twelve spies reporting to Moses and only two were positive of victory. The Ten Spies became the representation of the community and the ten are needed for a minyan, it is NOT the Ten Commandments that represent a minyan! While the Haftarah from Joshua (who was one of the spies that was sure of our people’s victory), was sent into Jericho. Joshua and the other spy were found out and a prostitute named Rachab, gave them shelter and protected them. She only asked the spies to save her and her family when Israel was victorious, and they agreed to do this.
Interesting pointed question is why is the “red light district” associated with prostitutes?
If you figured the answer, kol kavod (job well done)!
The prostitute Rachab was told by Joshua to have a red shawl draped out of her window (her place was in the outer wall (in ancient times people had dwellings inside the walls of major cities.) Rachab’s action protected her and her family during the attack, which ended in victory for the Israelites. The time frame of this story was after Moses’ death and Joshua was the leader of the Israelites. That was the first conquered city of Canaan by the Israelites (1400 B.C.E.)
Please know that my class at ICL will be “Ancient Israel to Modern Israel” and is now open to individuals 18-120 years old! on Tuesdays 10am -10:50am bldg and room TBA
Shabbat Shalom v”Am Ysrael Chai,
Rabbi Helene Ainbinder
