Shelach Videos

A taste of Shazak Parsha, where the weekly Torah portion comes alive! Geared for kids... Great for adults!

When Moses sent spies to scout the land of Israel, they saw giant grapes, got scared, and ran away. In this edition of the Week in Rejew, Jono interviews one of them (one of the giant grapes, that is).

If life is a mission, then everything depends on keeping one’s eyes on the objective.

Ever wonder why children are better at technology than adults? Psychologists think it’s because children approach problem solving differently…

Sometimes, when we encounter obstacles to achieving our goals, the problem is that we don’t believe in our own abilities. This is illustrated in the report of the spies.

A whimsical one-minute recap of the portion of Shelach, in which Moses sends 12 spies to Canaan and they return with disastrous reports.

What is the inner connection between the incident of the spies and the commandment concerning the libation of wine on the altar, issued by G-d directly thereafter? In answering this question, this class explores the mystical power of Tefillin and its effect on the world. (Based on the maamar L’havin Inyan Parshas Hanesachim 5747)

Moses had instructed the twelve spies to bring back specimens of the produce of the land of Israel to show to the Children of Israel. Strangely, Joshua and Calev – the only ones to remain faithful to Moses and the mission – did not comply and returned empty-handed. In explaining the justification for their omission, this class will offer a timely lesson on the nature of intent versus action. (Likutei Sichos vol. 38)

After the debacle of the Spies, G-d threatened to annihilate the Jews and begin His people anew with Moshe. In his defense of his fellow Jews, Moshe seems to invoke a strange, even disturbing argument. (Likutei Sichos vol. 23, Sicha 2)

The commandment to attach fringes to the corners of our garments. What it means, and how it is done.

The bond between Moses and his disciple Caleb was not always known to all—even to Caleb himself.

Before entering the land of Israel, Moses sent twelve spies to scout out the land. Follow the spies on their journey through the Holy Land. Where did they go? Where did they stop? What did they see?

Study some of the highlights of the weekly Torah portion with insights from various commentaries.

The parshah of Shelach contains 119 verses and the mnemonic for it is the name Felet. Explore the coded message in this Masoretic note and its connection to the general themes of the Parshah.

Moses selects scouts to inspect the Promised Land, and excite the people about their new home. Sadly most chose unwarranted negative reportage instead, dissuading the nation from journeying onward to Eretz Yisrael. To bolster their case, they harvest the land’s outlandishly huge and bizarre fruit using them to instill fear and despair into the hearts of the people. These insightful teachings shed sweet light on the sour grapes of this infamous story.

Learn the profound connections between the weekly parsha and its related Haftorah.

Sometimes the spiritual demands that Judaism makes on us seem a tall order. We may not attain all the spiritual ideals of Torah, but each of us is capable of making significant strides.

The dramatic story of the spies Moses sent to scout out the Land of Israel to conquer it is utterly perplexing. How can these handpicked leaders end up claiming that G-d’s mission can’t succeed. Where did the spies go so wrong? Based on Likkutei Sichos vol. 4 Shelach.

Why the mitzvah of separating challah is integral to bringing G‑d into our lives.

The spies looked at themselves as small, failing to internalize how G-d would be helping them in all their conquests.

An alternate reading into the Torah’s words related to the mitzvah of separating challah provides instruction on when to begin educating our youth in yiddishkeit.

The spies negatively reported that the land consumes its inhabitants. We must ensure to positively influence our surroundings and not the reverse.

When G-d wants to punish the people for believing the evil report of the spies, Moses pleads,"Now, please, let the strength of the Lord be increased." (Numbers 14:17) On a mystical level, Moses is asking that G-d express Himself through the Divine Name that is spelled aleph-daled-nun-yud and which represents the power of divinity that is hidden in nature.

Learn all about the tallit and tzitzit, its meaning and special significance.

The Talmud teaches us that each of the spies’ names offers a glimpse into their wayward conduct, yet only one of them has a fundamental lesson for each of us in our lives.

Rashi draws our attention to a nuance in the text that highlights why Moses could save the whole Jewish nation from G-d’s wrath, but not the twelve spies. A lesson in the importance of a Moshe figure. Learning Likutei Sichos vol. 13, Shelach (sicha 2)

Be careful what you say. With best intentions, too much talk can cause great damage.

The debacle of the spies teaches us how Torah study should be focused on inspiring our deeds.

Reconciling how the spies were sent by Moshe, yet not commanded by Hashem and how men of such greatness made such a grave mistake, offers a lesson in balancing faith and understanding.

The mitzvah of separating Challah, biblically has no specified amount, yet the Sages identify how much challah to give the Kohen. This all becomes clearer with understanding the deeper connection between taking Challah and rejecting idolatry.

Understanding Moshe's unusual argument to save the Jews after the sin of the Spies.

From Yehosha and Kalev’s defense of the Land countering the other spies, we learn of the unique bond of G-d and His people.

The Zohar identifies three unique aspects of the Jewish people—and the spies missed them all.

What do you really want?

The Talmud deduces from the narrative of the spies that ten men constitute a congregation, thus the minyan which is used for specific sacred rituals. Why is it derived from the erring spies?

There are three fundamental Mitzvos entrusted to every Jewish woman. Separating Challah “from the first of your dough” shows that before benefiting from anything in this world, we “set aside an offering for G-d.” By knowing that the beginning of everything is for G-d, the entire home becomes a dwelling place for Him.

“Aaron did so; he lit the lamps toward the face of the menorah” (Numbers 8:3). We contrast a chassidic and a non-chassidic interpretation of this verse in order to highlight the revolution that chassidic teachings have brought to our understanding of G-d, Torah and our fellow Jew.