Parsha talk Shelach Lekha 5785 2025

Parashat Sh’lach [Numbers 13-15] is predominantly devoted to the episode of the spies, the 12 tribal leaders, men of renown, who entered the Land of Israel to scout it out and come back with a report to B’nai Yisrael, the Israelite community. The devastating consequence of that report was God’s decree that no one over twenty, save the two who rejected that bad report, Caleb and Joshua, would be permitted to enter the Land. Our conversation explored the nature and implications of the spies’ experience in the land. We spent some time, too, discussing the it in relation to the episode of the Golden Calf, an event with which it is sometimes linked, both in the Bible and rabbinic literature. Since our last recording, the war with Iran broke out. We continue to keep in mind the hostages, dead and alive, who, well over 600 days later, remain in Gaza, and pray that they be returned to their families speedily. We also keep in mind the soldiers defending Israel as members of the Israel Defense Forces, may they be removed from harm’s way. Shabbat Shalom.