Why Your Eyes Could Be Your Biggest Spiritual Enemy (Parsha Power: Shelach)

In this episode of the Parsha Review Podcast, we explore the Torah portion Shalach, focusing on the story of the twelve spies sent to scout the land of Israel. Ten of the spies return with a negative report, causing despair among the Jewish people, which leads to the tragic establishment of Tisha B'Av, a day marked by historical calamities. In contrast, Joshua and Calev offer a positive perspective, highlighting the importance of faith in Hashem’s promise. We delve into the mitzvah of Tzitzis (fringes on four-cornered garments), recited twice daily in the Shema, which serves as a visual reminder of all 613 commandments. He explains that Tzitzis, with their numerical value and structure (600 plus 8 strings and 5 knots), symbolize the entire Torah, encouraging spiritual mindfulness and adherence to God’s laws, particularly for men, as the mitzvah is time-bound and not obligatory for women.

We emphasize the power and danger of the eyes, which can lead to holiness or temptation, as cautioned in the verse urging not to stray after one’s heart or eyes. We connect this to modern challenges, where technology and social media, designed to be addictive, can draw people away from their values. Drawing from personal anecdotes, such as a student wearing Tzitzis discreetly and his own experience in Jerusalem’s marketplace, he warns against the spiritual risks of unchecked visual intake. We advocate for mental engagement with Torah to guard against boredom and temptation, citing the practices of tech CEOs who limit phone use for productivity. We conclude by urging listeners to control their eyes, create a personal sanctuary for Hashem, and recite the Shema daily as a reminder to stay focused on holiness, praying for divine protection and a blessed Shabbos.

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This episode (Ep 7.34) of the Parsha Review Podcast by Rabbi Aryeh Wolbe on Parshas Shelach is dedicated in honor of our Holy Soldiers in the Battlefield and our Torah Scholars in the Study Halls who are fighting for the safety of our nation!

• Download & Print the Parsha Review Notes:
  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ncaRyoH5iJmGGoMZs9y82Hz2ofViVouv?usp=sharing

Recorded at TORCH Meyerland in the Levin Family Studios (B) to a live audience on June 17, 2025, in Houston, Texas.
Released as Podcast on June 19, 2025
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• Jewish Inspiration Podcast: https://inspiration.transistor.fm/episodes
• Parsha Review Podcast: https://parsha.tansistor.fm/episodes
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