Shelach - Day #7

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself  

Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24

Shabbat: Numbers 15:27–41 

15:27 “‘If a person sins unwittingly, then he shall offer a female goat a year old for a sin offering. 28 The priest shall make atonement for the soul who errs when he sins unwittingly before Hashem. He shall make atonement for him, and he shall be forgiven. 29 You shall have one law for him who does anything unwittingly, for him who is native-born among the children of Israel, and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them.

30 “‘But the soul who does anything with a high hand, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, blasphemes Hashem. That soul shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised Hashem’s word, and has broken His commandment, that soul shall be utterly cut off. His iniquity shall be on him.’”

32 While the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. 33 Those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron, and to all the congregation. 34 They put him in custody, because it had not been declared what should be done to him.

35 Hashem said to Moses, “The man shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall stone him with stones outside of the camp.” 36 All the congregation brought him outside of the camp, and stoned him to death with stones, as Hashem commanded Moses.

37 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 38 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them that they should make themselves fringes on the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put on the fringe of each border a cord of blue. 39 It shall be to you for a fringe, that you may see it, and remember all Hashem’s commandments, and do them; and that you don’t follow your own heart and your own eyes, after which you used to play the prostitute; 40 so that you may remember and do all my commandments, and be holy to your Elohim. 41 I am Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim: I am Hashem your Elohim.”

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 30, we read about sinning with a “high hand”. I looked this up, and apparently, it means with pride, arrogance, and sometimes with violence. To me, this means the sin being committed is done with deliberate malice. It would be like going up to someone you are disturbed about and thinking, “I don’t care what Hashem thinks, I'm going to kill him/her!” Where you deliberately defy what Hashem has taught you and commit the act of sin. We must be careful because I can think of times when I intentionally sinned. I knew I was disobeying Hashem, but did it anyway. This hurts Hashem and hurts those around us. And this must stop. If you keep the Torah close to your heart and fresh in your mind every day, it will definitely help you not to sin. We must do this. The cost is too high. Disobedience causes separation from Hashem and death. It’s just not worth it.

Today’s Challenge:

In verses 37-41, we learn about the tzitzit. This is a blue string hung on the four corners of your garment. When you look at the tzitzit, you are reminded to follow Torah. Some will say this is only for men. But, as a woman, I wear one tzitzit on my belt line. It has four blue strings. I don’t wear a four-cornered prayer shawl or shirt, so I decided to do it this way. I challenge you today to study the wearing of tzitzit and determine how you will fulfill this commandment. Be brave and stand up for the Torah. It is a daily visual reminder to follow Torah and not sin. It is really a beautiful commandment.

This Week’s Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24

2:1 Joshua the son of Nun secretly sent two men out of Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, including Jericho.” They went and came into the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and slept there.

2 The king of Jericho was told, “Behold, men of the children of Israel came in here tonight to spy out the land.”

3 Jericho’s king sent to Rahab, saying, “Bring out the men who have come to you, who have entered into your house; for they have come to spy out all the land.”

4 The woman took the two men and hid them. Then she said, “Yes, the men came to me, but I didn’t know where they came from. 5 About the time of the shutting of the gate, when it was dark, the men went out. Where the men went, I don’t know. Pursue them quickly. You may catch up with them.” 6 But she had brought them up to the roof, and hidden them under the stalks of flax which she had laid in order on the roof. 7 The men pursued them along the way to the fords of the Jordan River. As soon as those who pursued them had gone out, they shut the gate. 8 Before they had lain down, she came up to them on the roof. 9 She said to the men, “I know that Hashem has given you the land, and that the fear of you has fallen upon us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt away before you. 10 For we have heard how Hashem dried up the water of the Red Sea before you, when you came out of Egypt; and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and to Og, whom you utterly destroyed. 11 As soon as we had heard it, our hearts melted, and there wasn’t any more spirit in any man, because of you: for Hashem your Elohim, He is Elohim in heaven above, and on earth beneath. 12 Now therefore, please swear to me by Hashem, since I have dealt kindly with you, that you also will deal kindly with my father’s house, and give me a true sign; 13 and that you will save alive my father, my mother, my brothers, and my sisters, and all that they have, and will deliver our lives from death.”

14 The men said to her, “Our life for yours, if you don’t talk about this business of ours; and it shall be, when Hashem gives us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with you.”

15 Then she let them down by a cord through the window; for her house was on the side of the wall, and she lived on the wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the mountain, lest the pursuers find you. Hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers have returned. Afterward, you may go your way.”

17 The men said to her, “We will be guiltless of this your oath which you’ve made us to swear. 18 Behold, when we come into the land, tie this line of scarlet thread in the window which you used to let us down. Gather to yourself into the house your father, your mother, your brothers, and all your father’s household. 19 It shall be that whoever goes out of the doors of your house into the street, his blood will be on his head, and we will be guiltless. Whoever is with you in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand is on him. 20 But if you talk about this business of ours, then we shall be guiltless of your oath which you’ve made us to swear.”

21 She said, “Let it be as you have said.” She sent them away, and they departed. Then she tied the scarlet line in the window.

22 They went and came to the mountain, and stayed there three days, until the pursuers had returned. The pursuers sought them all along the way, but didn’t find them. 23 Then the two men returned, descended from the mountain, crossed the river, and came to Joshua the son of Nun. They told him all that had happened to them. 24 They said to Joshua, “Truly Hashem has delivered all the land into our hands. Moreover, all the inhabitants of the land melt away before us.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

This Torah portion is about sending people out to do extraordinary things for Hashem. Moses sent out the 12 spies, and in this Haftarah reading, Joshua sends out two spies to view the land. It is an excellent story because these two men meet a dedicated servant, are hidden from the enemy, and receive a good report. When Hashem sends us out to do extraordinary things, are we careful to bring back a good report? This means we have accomplished what He has asked us to do and are blessed to carry out His will. We need to be careful not to go out to do something He has asked us to do and then complain. Do Hashem’s work with a joyful heart. You will be super blessed in return.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

What about Rahab in this story? She risked her life to save the two men from Moses. She saw that they were followers of the one true Elohim, and did all she could to protect them. Let’s look at our lives today. Are we willing to protect and go the extra mile for those who serve Hashem, or would we risk our lives to save the life of someone else? I am reminded of the people during the Holocaust who helped and risked their lives to hide Jewish people and children. If that were happening today, would you risk your life and your family’s life to hide someone whose life was being threatened unjustly? It is something to consider in advance. What are you willing to do to help your brother or sister in Hashem?

Shelach - Day #6

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself  

Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Numbers 15:17–26

15:17 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 18 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land where I bring you, 19 then it shall be that when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall offer up a wave offering to Hashem. 20 Of the first of your dough you shall offer up a cake for a wave offering. As the wave offering of the threshing floor, so you shall heave it. 21 Of the first of your dough, you shall give to Hashem a wave offering throughout your generations.

22 “‘When you err, and don’t observe all these commandments which Hashem has spoken to Moses— 23 even all that Hashem has commanded you by Moses, from the day that Hashem gave commandment and onward throughout your generations— 24 then it shall be, if it was done unwittingly, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bull for a burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma to Hashem, with its meal offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat for a sin offering. 25 The priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and they shall be forgiven; for it was an error, and they have brought their offering, an offering made by fire to Hashem, and their sin offering before Hashem, for their error. 26 All the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven, as well as the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them; for with regard to all the people, it was done unwittingly.

Today’s Meditation: 

Today, we read about the “wave offering”. The priests performed it, and it was a special offering made to Hashem. Apparently, the priest would wave the offering to and fro, above his head. It was a sign of servitude, commitment, and peace. It makes me think about when people win something. They show it off by waving it above their heads. It’s like, “See everyone what I got!” So, when the priests were waving their offerings before Hashem, they could have been saying, “See Hashem, this is for You!” A special, set-aside offering to show before Hashem.

Today’s Challenge:

In verses 23-26, we learn about mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. Sometimes we do them unintentionally, and sometimes we do them willingly. The point here is that Hashem makes a way for forgiveness. Through the priests and the sacrificial system, sins could be forgiven. So, what do we do about forgiveness now? We pray and ask. Psalm 130:3-4, “If You, Hashem, kept a record of sins, Hashem, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You.” We confess, repent, teshuvah, and He forgives. Join me in praying for forgiveness today.

Shelach - Day #5

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself  

Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Numbers 15:8–16

15:8 When you prepare a bull for a burnt offering or for a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or for peace offerings to Hashem, 9 then he shall offer with the bull a meal offering of three tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with half a hin of oil; 10 and you shall offer for the drink offering half a hin of wine, for an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 11 Thus it shall be done for each bull, for each ram, for each of the male lambs, or of the young goats. 12 According to the number that you shall prepare, so you shall do to everyone according to their number.

13 “‘All who are native-born shall do these things in this way, in offering an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 14 If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, or whoever may be among you throughout your generations, and will offer an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem, as you do, so he shall do. 15 For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner, a statute forever throughout your generations. As you are, so the foreigner shall be before Hashem. 16 One law and one ordinance shall be for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.’”

Today’s Meditation:

This is what I love about Torah. It is not only for His chosen people, the Jews, but also for the stranger who joins with them. In verses 15 and 16, we read, “As you are, so the foreigner shall be before Hashem. One law and one ordinance shall be for you and for the stranger who lives as a foreigner with you.” Torah is clearly for everyone who wants to follow and love Hashem. Yes, there is a lot to learn from His chosen people. They have been studying the Torah for centuries upon centuries. So, it is imperative to study from the sages and those who live now who are teaching His Word. We must learn from the native-born and join with them. By joining, I mean supporting the Jewish people with prayer, finances, and material aid. Support Israel in every way possible. Oppose those who boycott Israel and pray for peace for Jerusalem. Every day I pray this prayer, “Adonai, please return the land to the people. Please return the people’s hearts to you (and to people all over the world). And please return the Mashiach to the Temple, to rule and reign from Jerusalem forever.

Today’s Challenge:

If there is one Torah for the stranger and the native born, then it is essential to study, know, and follow the commandments. That’s why I have written Torah 365, which covers the weekly Torah portions daily. It is a one-year cycle, and every year you study it, I promise you will learn something new. Most importantly, we must apply what we are learning to our lives. Today, we study the offerings and how to do them. We can’t do these offerings without a Temple. But, how about this? Let’s offer as a sacrifice our prayers, our giving to others, our repentance, and our love for Hashem to others. We are called to be a light to the nations. Let’s begin doing that today.

Shelach - Day #4

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself  

Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Numbers 14:26–15:7 

14:26 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 27 “How long shall I bear with this evil congregation that complain against me? I have heard the complaints of the children of Israel, who complain against me. 28 Tell them, ‘As I live, says Hashem, surely as you have spoken in my ears, so I will do to you. 29 Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness; and all who were counted of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have complained against me, 30 surely you shall not come into the land concerning which I swore that I would make you dwell therein, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun. 31 But I will bring in your little ones that you said should be captured or killed, and they shall know the land which you have rejected. 32 But as for you, your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness. 33 Your children shall be wanderers in the wilderness forty years, and shall bear your prostitution, until your dead bodies are consumed in the wilderness. 34 After the number of the days in which you spied out the land, even forty days, for every day a year, you will bear your iniquities, even forty years, and you will know my alienation.’ 35 I, Hashem, have spoken. I will surely do this to all this evil congregation who are gathered together against me. In this wilderness they shall be consumed, and there they shall die.”

36 The men whom Moses sent to spy out the land, who returned and made all the congregation to murmur against him by bringing up an evil report against the land, 37 even those men who brought up an evil report of the land, died by the plague before Hashem. 38 But Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh remained alive of those men who went to spy out the land.

39 Moses told these words to all the children of Israel, and the people mourned greatly. 40 They rose up early in the morning and went up to the top of the mountain, saying, “Behold, we are here, and will go up to the place which Hashem has promised; for we have sinned.”

41 Moses said, “Why now do you disobey the commandment of Hashem, since it shall not prosper? 42 Don’t go up, for Hashem isn’t among you; that way you won’t be struck down before your enemies. 43 For there the Amalekite and the Canaanite are before you, and you will fall by the sword because you turned back from following Hashem; therefore Hashem will not be with you.”

44 But they presumed to go up to the top of the mountain. Nevertheless, the ark of Hashem’s covenant and Moses didn’t depart out of the camp. 45 Then the Amalekites came down, and the Canaanites who lived in that mountain, and struck them and beat them down even to Hormah.

15:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land of your habitations, which I give to you, 3 and will make an offering by fire to Hashem—a burnt offering, or a sacrifice, to accomplish a vow, or as a free will offering, or in your set feasts, to make a pleasant aroma to Hashem, of the herd, or of the flock— 4 then he who offers his offering shall offer to Hashem a meal offering of one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with one fourth of a hin of oil. 5 You shall prepare wine for the drink offering, one fourth of a hin, with the burnt offering or for the sacrifice, for each lamb.

6 “‘For a ram, you shall prepare for a meal offering two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the third part of a hin of oil; 7 and for the drink offering you shall offer the third part of a hin of wine, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 14:42, we read “Hashem isn’t among you”. And they continued to conquer the land. They meet up with the enemy and are defeated. Even the ark of the testimony does not go with them. They probably panicked about their sin of doubt and wanted to make things right in their own flesh. Have you ever done that? When you do something really wrong, instead of repenting and asking Hashem to help you repair the damage, you try to fix it on your own, and it ends in disaster. You want Hashem “to be among you” in your life, especially for big decisions. And if you do sin in a horrible way or even a little way, don’t try to make it up to Hashem in your own way. Ask Him first what you should do.

Today’s Challenge:

In this Torah study, we learn that complaining actually caused ten men to lose their lives. And caused many more to be punished for entering the land. So, this tells us that Hashem does not like complaining. And at the time of writing this, I can honestly tell you that’s what I have been doing in my head all day long today. We are in the middle of trying to sell our house, and things are going very differently from what we expected. I am asking Hashem what we are doing wrong and trying to listen to Him to hear His answer. But in the meantime, I am super complaining that our house hasn't sold (unlike everyone else's). Then I repent and tell Hashem I am sorry for not having the faith needed to pull us through. Still, I am sure He is not happy about all of this. All I can say is, “I am so sorry, Hashem, please forgive me for complaining. Please show us, very clearly, how to sell our house. Help us to be patient and to have faith that You are in the middle of this.” I hope you can learn from my mistakes today. This is my challenge to you. (Update: Our house was sold shortly after I originally wrote this. Hashem was in the middle of it all. I am very grateful.)

Shelach - Day #3

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself  

Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Numbers 14:8-25

14:8 If Hashem delights in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us: a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only don’t rebel against Hashem, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and Hashem is with us. Don’t fear them.”

10 But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones.

Hashem’s glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel. 11 Hashem said to Moses, “How long will this people despise Me? How long will they not believe in Me, for all the signs which I have worked among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

13 Moses said to Hashem, “Then the Egyptians will hear it; for You brought up this people in Your might from among them. 14 They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You Hashem are among these people; for you Hashem are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them, and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you killed this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying, 16 ‘Because Hashem was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore He has slain them in the wilderness.’ 17 Now please let the power of Hashem be great, according as You have spoken, saying, 18 ‘Hashem is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’ 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”

20 Hashem said, “I have pardoned according to your word; 21 but in very deed—as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with Hashem’s glory— 22 because all those men who have seen My glory and My signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted Me these ten times, and have not listened to My voice; 23 surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it. 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed Me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it. 25 Since the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley, tomorrow turn and go into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”

Today’s Meditation:

Joshua and Caleb defend Hashem’s promise to the land. They try to tell the people that they can trust in Hashem and His Word. That the land is good and He will deliver it, just like He delivered them out of Egypt. They beg them not to fear but to trust. But fear takes over the people, and they threaten to stone them. You know the rest of the story. Their fear prohibits them from ever entering the Promised Land. Only their children will be able to go. That is what fear does. It paralyzes you and keeps you from Hashem’s blessings. I know I have been there. Trusting in Him is much, much better.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 22, we read that the people have tempted Hashem 10 times and not listened to His voice. We stand astonished at that because it happens right after they have seen the biggest miracle of the parting of the sea. But I challenge you to take a look at your life. How many times has Hashem performed a super miracle in your life, only for you to doubt Him, complain, or not trust that He is going to pull through again shortly after? It’s time to repent and to believe. 

Shelach - Day #2

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself  

Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Numbers 13:21–14:7

13:21 So they went up, and spied out the land from the wilderness of Zin to Rehob, to the entrance of Hamath. 22 They went up by the South, and came to Hebron; and Ahiman, Sheshai, and Talmai, the children of Anak, were there. (Now Hebron was built seven years before Zoan in Egypt.) 23 They came to the valley of Eshcol, and cut down from there a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bore it on a staff between two. They also brought some of the pomegranates and figs. 24 That place was called the valley of Eshcol, because of the cluster which the children of Israel cut down from there. 25 They returned from spying out the land at the end of forty days. 26 They went and came to Moses, to Aaron, and to all the congregation of the children of Israel, to the wilderness of Paran, to Kadesh; and brought back word to them and to all the congregation. They showed them the fruit of the land. 27 They told him and said, “We came to the land where you sent us. Surely it flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. Moreover, we saw the children of Anak there. 29 Amalek dwells in the land of the South. The Hittite, the Jebusite, and the Amorite dwell in the hill country. The Canaanite dwells by the sea, and along the side of the Jordan.”

30 Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, “Let’s go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it!”

31 But the men who went up with him said, “We aren’t able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.” 32 They brought up an evil report of the land which they had spied out to the children of Israel, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that eats up its inhabitants; and all the people who we saw in it are men of great stature. 33 There we saw the Nephilim, the sons of Anak, who came from the Nephilim. We were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.”

14:1 All the congregation lifted up their voice, and cried; and the people wept that night. 2 All the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “We wish that we had died in the land of Egypt, or that we had died in this wilderness!         3 Why does Hashem bring us to this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be captured or killed! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return into Egypt?” 4 They said to one another, “Let’s choose a leader, and let’s return into Egypt.”

5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the children of Israel.

6 Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were of those who spied out the land, tore their clothes. 7 They spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.

Today’s Meditation:

Caleb is a man of faith. When everyone else was negative, Caleb remembered Hashem's faithfulness. When every man (except Joshua) was scared and running, Caleb stood firm and wanted to carry out the charge to go forth. Have you ever gone against the flow? Have you ever stood up for something and found yourself alone in your beliefs? Or if you express your beliefs, others around you may be so angry or disagree that you may even lose a friendship? I spent many years working in a pro-life organization, defending the lives of preborn babies. I have encountered many people over the years who disagreed with my stance on life. And it has not been fun. People feel strongly convicted about specific issues and take stands. I recommend we defend the truth. Whatever that looks like to you. Just like Joshua and Caleb. Hashem will show you.

Today’s Challenge:

The last verse in this reading shows the dedication of Moses and Aaron. When people began grumbling strongly about advancing into the promised Land, Moses, I’m sure, became worried. Not worried about what they were doing, but concerned about what Hashem was going to do to them. This was so serious. After all, the purpose of the whole deliverance from Egypt was so that they could then move on and go to the Promised Land. And now they were ready to turn around and go back, just because of the bad report of a few men. 

Moses and Aaron fell on their faces and interceded for the people, so that Hashem would not extinguish them. It makes me think of my life. We are currently selling our home. It is very stressful, and I am trying so hard to put my faith in Hashem that He has everything under control. I am trying not to worry and have doubts, and it is so hard. I want to be a strong woman of faith. And I am trying (and repenting). I want to be like Joshua and Caleb, full of faith and confidence. And I challenge you to do the same. If you are going through a stressful time, try really hard to put your faith and trust in Hashem. He cares about you, even in the littlest things. Pray hard, like Moses and Aaron, that Hashem will have mercy on you. 

Shelach - Day #1

Shelach שְׁלַy to ח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself  

Torah Portion: Numbers 13:1-15:41

Numbers 13:1–20

13:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Send men, that they may spy out the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel. Of every tribe of their fathers, you shall send a man, every one a prince among them.”

3 Moses sent them from the wilderness of Paran according to the commandment of Hashem. All of them were men who were heads of the children of Israel. 4 These were their names:

Of the tribe of Reuben, Shammua the son of Zaccur.

5 Of the tribe of Simeon, Shaphat the son of Hori.

6 Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb, the son of Jephunneh.

7 Of the tribe of Issachar, Igal the son of Joseph.

8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Hoshea the son of Nun.

9 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Palti the son of Raphu.

10 Of the tribe of Zebulun, Gaddiel the son of Sodi.

11 Of the tribe of Joseph, of the tribe of Manasseh, Gaddi the son of Susi.

12 Of the tribe of Dan, Ammiel the son of Gemalli.

13 Of the tribe of Asher, Sethur, the son of Michael.

14 Of the tribe of Naphtali, Nahbi the son of Vophsi.

15 Of the tribe of Gad, Geuel the son of Machi.

16 These are the names of the men whom Moses sent to spy out the land. Moses called Hoshea, the son of Nun, Joshua. 17 Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan, and said to them, “Go up this way by the South, and go up into the hill country. 18 See the land, what it is; and the people who dwell therein, whether they are strong or weak, whether they are few or many; 19 and what the land is that they dwell in, whether it is good or bad; and what cities they are that they dwell in, whether in camps, or in strongholds; 20 and what the land is, whether it is fertile or poor, whether there is wood therein, or not. Be courageous, and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the time of the first-ripe grapes.

Today's Meditation:

This was a simple request. Go and check out the land. This is the land the people of Hashem had waited for centuries to acquire. Now was the time. But it had to be looked at first, so they knew what to expect. Except there is a turn of events. Something totally unexpected happens. The tribal heads go, and they get scared. The land, the people living there, and its protection are too much. It must have seemed impossible, because 10 of the leaders came back with a bad report. This event will change everything for them, but they don’t know it yet. A simple command: go and spy out the land. Only it becomes very, very complicated. We will shortly see.

Today’s Challenge:

Have you made a simple request of yourself into something complicated? Has someone asked you to do something, and you make it into something more? Maybe, just maybe, we can learn from today’s reading. Let’s try to keep things simple. Let’s follow the request and not make it more than it is. For instance, if you are looking for a new home. And your spouse wants something small and easy to take care of. But you start looking at big luxurious homes. You really haven’t listened to his/her desires. And now you have made it complicated. Suppose your boss tells you to do a report. Do it the way he/she asked you. Try to do the good things in your life in a simple, easy way. The world is complex enough as it is.