A PROJECT OF

PIRCHEI AGUDAS YISROEL OF

CHAIM BERLIN

PIRCHEI PAGES

שלחפרשת

שבת מברכים חודש תמוז

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Dear Pirchim,

These פרשיות talk about some of the most tragic episodes in our history. In this

weeks פרשה in particular, the story of the מרגלים caused the delay of the Yidden

going into ץ ישראלאר and continues to affect us as that was the day that 'ה decided

to destroy both בתי מקדש. Besides the lack of אמונה that אלכלל ישר had, there was

also a lack of הכרת הטוב for all that ה' did for us.

Over the last 3+ months, many of us have been stuck at home not being able to do

much due to the coronavirus. It’s easy for us to complain and see all the negatives.

Now that we’re ב"ה beginning to return back to normal, it’s time to reflect on the

positives as well.

Through Pirchei Chaim Berlin, I’m running a campaign to hear different stories that

boys have on what to be thankful for during this difficult period of time. Any boy in

Pre-1-A through 8th grade may submit and all boys that submit a story will be

entered into a raffle for a $20 gift certificate to Artscroll.

Stories can be submitted online at www.pircheicb.com/tyh/ or email

info@pircheicb.com (please include the boy’s name, address, Yeshiva and grade).

If anyone wants to provide feedback or sign up to get the publication directly into

your inbox every Thursday, you can email me at dakatz@pircheicb.com.

Have a good Shabbos,

R’ Dovid Asher Katz

Pirchei Agudas Yisroel of Chaim Berlin

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Dvar Torah for Parshas Shelach

"שלח־לך אנשים ויתרו את־ארץ כנען " "Send forth for you men and let them spy out the land of Canaan "(13:2)

The narrative of the meraglim, spies, and the ensuing reaction of Klal Yisroe1 to the unfounded

slander against Eretz Yisroel constitute one of the saddest moments in Jewish history. Twelve

great men left for a mission, but only two return with their faith in the Almighty intact. The other

ten returned with an account of the land that was, at best, sufficiently ambiguous to dishearten the

people. This led to a night of weeping whose sin is still commemorated on Tisha B’Av, our national

day of mourning. Why did the scouting mission to Canaan fail so miserably? After all, the

meraglim themselves were noble and dignified people, whose position of importance was

commensurate with their outstanding spiritual achievements.

The various commentators, each in their own manner, explain what went wrong. One thing is clear;

this was no ordinary transgression. Whenever we consider the shortcomings of our ancestors,

especially the generation of the midbar who received the Torah, it is essential that we view their

actions in the context of their lofty spiritual level.

There is a dimension of the "sin of the spies" which is accepted in the concept of Chassidus. In the

Likutei Torah, the Baal HaTanya gives a new explanation to this remarkable episode. The spies

were truly great men whose original intentions were simply misguided. They were not concerned

with physical defeat. Instead they feared a form of spiritual defeat. In the desert, each Jew was

privy to an idyllic life, which was a direct gift from the Almighty. Hashem attended to his physical

needs! He had an abundance of food provided courtesy of the manna; water flowed freely from

the well of Miriam. His clothes did not wear out. Due to this unparalleled situation, he was able to

immerse himself totally in spiritual pursuit without the slightest material concerns. Can one ask

for a more remarkable lifestyle?

The entry of Bnei Yisroel into Eretz Yisroel would bring all of this to an end. The people would

now have to commit to a new way of life. There would no longer be manna. Bread would now be

obtained as the result of toil: preparing the soil, planting the seeds, harvesting the crops, and

preparing the wheat for human consumption. Entering Eretz Yisroel would not create an

improvement in their lives. On the contrary, they would now be compelled to involve themselves

in material pursuits, which in their minds would preclude their spiritual advancement. They

complained, "It is a land that eats up its inhabitants." They meant that the labor expended on work

would deplete all of their energies. Bnei Yisroel perceived that spirituality flourishes in a life of

seclusion, devoid of material responsibility, withdrawn from society and its mundane pressures.

They were, however, wrong. Jewish life does not focus on elevating the neshamah, soul, but rather

on sanctifying the mundane and consecrating the world to a life of holiness and purity. By acceding

to their negative views, they failed to recognize the importance and value of a life of action, of

mitzvah observance, especially those connected with the soil of Eretz Yisroel. Every mitzvah

serves a purpose in sanctifying Hashem's Name in the world and in bringing the Shechinah into

every area of human endeavor. The miracles which sustained Bnei Yisroel in the desert were not

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the zenith of spiritual experience. They served only as a preparation for Bnei YisroeI's entry into

the reality of life and consecrating mundane activity.

The meraglim's fear was, of course, unfounded. True, they would have to work at maintaining

their spiritual identity, but is that not what life is all about? Perhaps, they had been accustomed to

living with miracles. They feared the struggle against "everyday” materialism. This is a friction

we all face, especially those of us who live in communities in which Yiddishkeit does not flourish.

Individuals, however, who have the advantage of being challenged develop a faith tempered in

hardship, which may ultimately; result in greater endurance.

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THE TELEGRAM THAT BUILT THE PONOVEZH YESHIVA

It was mid-morning, and the talmidim of the famed Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak were already deeply immersed in their learning. Not a single one lifted his head from his sefer to gaze out the window to the street below, where a small funeral procession was slowly passing by. But the moment when it passed by the front door of the Bais Medrash, something stirred in the heart of the rosh yeshiva, Rav Yosef Shlomo Kahaneman. Rav Kahaneman quickly went outside and asked one of the onlookers if he knew the name of the deceased person. Rav Kahaneman could hardly believe his ears when he heard the reply. He ran back into the yeshiva and ordered all the talmidim to immediately stop their learning and come outside. “We must all pay honor to this man,” were the only words that Rav Kahaneman said to his surprised talmidim. The Rav joined the procession, with his students following behind him, and together they accompanied the deceased man all the way to the cemetery. After Rav Kahaneman and the students had returned to the yeshiva, the seder continued as if it had never been interrupted. But because of the morning’s events, many of the bachurim were unable to concentrate. Who was that man, they wondered. And what had he done in his lifetime to merit such an honor from the Rav? None of the students wanted to be the one to approach the Rav directly and ask the reason for his actions. But finally, curiosity got the better of one of the talmidim, and he mustered up the courage to pose the question that was on everyone’s mind. Before replying, Rav Kahaneman took a moment to gaze around the Bais Medrash. His eyes rested upon each of the talmidim in turn, and then took in every bench, every window and every wall of the room. “It happened many years ago,” Rav Kahaneman began, “during the terrible days of World War II, when Egypt welcomed the German army with open arms. Every Jew knew what they intended to do if they succeeded in conquering Eretz Yisroel.” Rav Kahaneman paused for a moment. There was no reason for him to elaborate on the extent of the Nazi barbarity that was perpetrated against the Jewish people during that dark time. What was perhaps not so well known was the reaction of the Arabs to the Nazi threat. “The Arabs were already in a jubilant mood,” the Rav continued. “Some were even strolling through Jewish neighborhoods and laying claims to Jewish houses. ‘This one is going to be mine,’

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they would say with a laugh, sending a shudder through the hearts of the Jews who sat trembling inside.” Rav Kahaneman went on to explain that at this stage of the war, things were going badly for the Allies in Europe, and most Jews in Eretz Yisroel had little faith in the ability of the British to defeat the mighty Germans. With the specter of almost certain death haunting both their waking and sleeping hours, many Jews were desperately trying to get themselves, and their money, out of the country. Rav Kahaneman, however, was not one of them. While the rest of the world raged with war and destruction, he was engaged in a project of building and renewing Yiddishkeit in Eretz Yisroel. To be sure, what would one day be the famed Ponovezh Yeshiva in Bnei Brak was still just an idea in his head. But it was an idea that gave him no rest. It filled his days and his nights, and there was only one thing that kept him from beginning construction on the proposed new building – he had no money. But although Rav Kahaneman was penniless in Eretz Yisroel, the yeshiva did own some property in South Africa. After considering all his options, the Rav decided that now was the time to sell this property. A supporter of the yeshiva happened to live in South Africa. The Rav decided that he would send him a telegram instructing him to sell the property and wire the Rav the money. With this money in hand, Rav Kahaneman would be able to start building the new yeshiva. Rav Kahaneman was a happy man as he made his way to the telegram office on Allenby Street in Tel Aviv. But his joy was short-lived. When he inquired about the cost of sending a telegram to South Africa, he discovered that he lacked the funds for even this simple transaction. He left the telegram office and wearily sat down on a bench. All that stood between him and the funds to build the yeshiva was the cost of a telegram. Surely Hakodosh Boruch Hu would not abandon him in his hour of need. The Rav was so lost in thought that he didn’t notice that a passerby had stopped and was standing beside him. “Rabbi, why are you so sad?” the man asked. The Rav explained his predicament to the stranger. “You must be completely out of your mind,” the stranger exclaimed. “Why?” asked Rav Kahaneman.

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“Don’t you know?” the man replied. “The Germans could invade any day. Everyone is desperate to get their money out of the country, and you want to bring money in? And for what? To build a yeshiva? You’re out of your mind!” Rav Kahaneman looked intently at the man standing before him. “Have you ever heard of the Chofetz Chaim?” the Rav asked. The man gestured as if to say, of course, everyone has heard of him. “The Chofetz Chaim foresaw,” said Rav Kahaneman, “that in Tzion would be the salvation. In Tzion would be our shelter, our refuge. And it would be holy. I tell you now that I believe, with emunah shleimah that just as the Chofetz Chaim foresaw the footsteps of the enemy will not tread here in this land, and that our greatest obligation at this time is to increase kedusha in Eretz Yisroel, I intended to do this by building a yeshiva.” As he spoke these words, Rav Kahaneman pounded on the table and the sound reverberated throughout the Bais Medrash. The talmidim were jolted back to the present, but now they were filled with new awe for their beloved rosh yeshiva, who had demonstrated such complete emunah during that difficult time. “Now do you understand?” the Rav asked his students. “That man who stood before me on

Allenby Street so many years ago, he is the man whose levayah passed by our yeshiva today.

After hearing those words of the Chofetz Chaim, he reached into his pocket and gave me the

money I needed to send the telegram to South Africa. It is thanks to him that our yeshiva was

built and that we are learning here today.”

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INSIDE OUT

Twelve months is a long time to let an idea grow ripe. Even the hardest fruit or vegetable in Yerucham Siman-Tov’s store ripened in less time than that. “Next year,” Yerucham told himself, in between weighing and carrying, giving orders to Omer and Ibrahim and answering the phone. Next year, he was going to bring to life Rav Maimon’s wonderful drashah … Dozens of harried housewives were gathered in his fruit and vegetable store. They filled their bags with fresh produce, all the while throwing questions and comments at him. It was like this every year. Starting from Rosh Chodesh Nissan, the store turned into a bustle of activity – Erev Pesach activity. The mountains of potatoes, onions and oranges testified as to how far along – or far behind – a particular housewife might be in her Pesach preparations. Lots of bananas were sold, too, to help fill hungry children’s stomachs during the hectic days before the Yom Tov. The same went for apples. “Tomatoes are so expensive,” complained one busy woman. “So are the pears and the zucchini,” another one chimed in, as she rummaged through a carton of apples. “The prices, I see, are Erev Pesach prices already,” one experienced housewife said, having just walked in and casting a quick eye about the place. “According to these prices, our kitchens should all be kosher for Pesach already!” Yerucham didn’t have the time to answer every comment or complaint. Privately, however, he had to admit that they were right. Since the beginning of that week, prices had climbed. “This is just taking advantage of us,” concluded one woman, not realizing that Yerucham himself felt equally taken advantage of. He, too, was forced to pay stiff prices for his merchandise. The fruit and vegetable wholesalers had explained to him that, as the holiday drew closer, there was no chance that he wouldn’t sell everything. On the days before Pesach customers were thinking only of their holiday needs and didn’t care about prices. “You’ll see, Yerucham. You’ll be selling apples at four shekels a pound, or even seven, and every last one will be gone!” They were right. What Jew wanted to be tightfisted when it came to buying food for Yom Tov? But Yerucham wasn’t happy. Fruits and vegetables were basic necessities for Pesach, and there were families for whom these steep prices were just beyond their ability to pay. True, Hashem had guaranteed to give it all back to them – but where were they supposed to get the money from in the meantime?

Not every shopkeeper would have noticed, perhaps – but Yerucham noticed. Even in the hustle and bustle of his store, he noticed the families that bought very little -- families blessed with many children, who simply could not afford the high price of apples.

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Then came Rav Maimon’s drashah about the great mitzvos that Hashem gives us the opportunity to do. Everyone gets his or her own special chance … As he listened, it seemed to Yerucham that Rav Maimon was speaking directly to him. Hashem had given him a chance to do a chessed for his fellow Jews – one that only Yerucham the greengrocer could do. It was waiting for him among the piles of lettuce and stacks of parsley. Next year, he resolved, he would not allow high prices to take over his store. Next year, on Erev Pesach, his customers would be able to buy as much as they needed for Yom Tov! He thought and planned for a long time. He asked and investigated until, at the end of Chodesh Shevat, his plan was crystallized. He spoke with a large chessed organization, and together they agreed to buy large quantities of produce for the neighborhood’s many residents. Yerucham planned the project down to the last detail. On the last week in Adar, he hung a large sign in the doorway of his store, announcing the sale of fruits and vegetables at low prices in honor of the upcoming Yom Tov. “Thank you!” his customers cried. “May Hashem bless you!” Usually such special sales took place far away and without the option of delivery, so that many people could not take advantage of the low prices being offered. This time, however, everything was wonderfully organized. Yerucham promised to deliver to people’s homes. The delivery service would be in operation 24 hours a day during the last week before Pesach. On Rosh Chodesh Nissan, both his regular customers and many new ones received neatly typed forms which told them exactly what they could order for Pesach, in what quantities and at what price. Yerucham guaranteed to arrange the produce in bags of five or ten pounds, depending on the customer’s need. Customers were urged to mark down the items they wanted to buy and to return the form, along with the correct amount of money, within three days. Everything was looking good. This year everyone hoped they would all enjoy fresh, inexpensive produce. The big sale was in the capable and trustworthy hands of Yerucham. The Rosenberg family’s kitchen looked more like a spotless laboratory than a place where people cooked and ate. The cabinet shelves were covered with fresh paper as they awaited the Pesach dishes that the family was in the process of bringing in. The sparkling refrigerator hummed with a festive air. Much of the rest of the kitchen was covered with aluminum foil, giving it a silvery look. Mrs. Rosenberg looked around with satisfaction. Soon her oldest daughter Shulamis would return from the fruit and vegetable store, and then the kitchen would turn back into a real kitchen. The smells of cleanliness would give way to the good aromas of holiday food cooking. Shulamis came home soon – too soon. A copy of the form was in her hand. “The store’s empty, Ima,” she reported. “What do you mean, empty?” “Actually, it’s full,” Shulamis corrected herself. “Full of people, but empty of produce. There are only some citrus fruits from last week, and a few old eggplants.”

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“When will the produce be arriving?” “Sometime today.” “Well, in that case, we’ll use the morning to check the pockets that haven’t been done yet, and we’ll put the cooking off for now.” No use fighting reality, Mrs. Rosenberg thought. She couldn’t buy what the store didn’t have. People walked out of the store at the same rate as new people walked in. “Yerucham, when is the produce going to come? You said it would be here by ten this morning. What happened?” “Nothing happened. In a few hours you’ll have everything you need, b’ezras Hashem.” Hour followed hour. Those who had come early that morning were back a second time. As the stars began to peek from the darkening sky, the first grumblings were heard. “Yerucham,” one man said, “my wife needs the produce now!” He seemed to think that a severe glance and a stern tone would bring the fruits and vegetables tumbling to his feet. Yerucham answered calmly, “Sir, I need it too, believe me – even more than your wife does!” “Yerucham, you promised!” someone else cried. “This is a scandal!” “A scam!” “A nightmare!” Yerucham swallowed all of this in silence. After all, this whole project was the realization of a precious mitzvah that had come his way, in his role as a greengrocer … “Try again at ten tonight. I’m not closing the store,” Yerucham said in a placating tone. “The minute the trucks from the wholesaler arrive, you’ll be able to get your produce.” With the phone pressed to his ear, Yerucham told the crowd that had gathered at his store at ten o’clock that night that the wholesaler’s first truck was set to depart from the marketplace within the hour. It would be carrying a full load of kohlrabi, tomatoes and zucchini squash. “Who needs kohlrabi and tomatoes a week before Pesach?”

“You want us to make fresh salad now, to eat on Chol Hamoed?” one irate woman snapped. Her nerves were stretched raw from the long wait. “Get us cooking apples, and strawberries, and potatoes and onions. That’s what we need now!”

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At the wholesale market, two of Yerucham’s buyers pleaded with the men loading the trucks. The commotion was indescribable. Veteran buyers managed to get what they wanted, while Yerucham’s order, like a cry in the wilderness, went unheeded. Horns, whistles, the thud of flying sacks of potatoes as they hit the bottom of the trucks, the shouts of the Arab workers and the cries of the merchant dealers filled the market. Barring an open miracle, which wholesaler was going to pay any attention to a couple of inexperienced buyers pleading for their share? The devoted Yerucham remained at his post until 2:00 A.M. By that time, all hope was gone. The last of the truck drivers had already gone to sleep. He promised the grumbling customers still in the store at that crazy time of night, “At seven tomorrow morning, the produce will come.” “That would be nice to believe,” a disappointed customer muttered. The next day the list of angry and disappointed people grew by one more person: Yerucham himself. Promises and more promises. People had paid him money and depended on his guarantees. But what could he do? He too depended on people’s promises. That ought to teach him not to trust in people, but only in Hashem. The produce began arriving at a maddeningly slow pace. A small quantity of apples came that morning and were snatched up even before Yerucham saw them. There was plenty of grapefruit and avocado. “This year we’ll have grapefruit kugel and grapefruit soup. I guess we can even make do with grapefruit ice cream, in a pinch. What a delicious menu!” “Let’s get down to brass tacks, Yerucham! When are we going to get potatoes onions, carrots and cooking apples?” As though to annoy them further, the next thing to arrive were melons. The atmosphere in the store was so tense that Yerucham feared one of the customers would start hurling melons at him at any moment. All through that difficult week, Yerucham hardly left the store. He walked out three times a day in order to daven in shul, then returned to serve his customers. This was not the way he’d envisioned doing his special mitzvah. All his planning, he’d believed, had removed any possibility of failure. He had organized everything in such a way that his customers would be able to get exactly what they wanted without even waiting in line. He’d hoped to help them and, instead, this was what had happened. Was anyone even grateful to Yerucham, who remained in his store until two a.m. in the morning in order to pack the beets and peppers in five-kilo bags?

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“Yerucham, either give me onions or I won’t shop here anymore!” one woman screamed hysterically, as though she suspected Yerucham of hiding thousands of onions behind the counter for his own use. “What do you want me to do – make a miracle like the ones in Mitzrayim? Where should I get onions from?” The neighborhood residents clustered at poor Yerucham’s doorway. “Give us back our checks and finished!” came a shout. Women, their nerves worn ragged from all the Pesach preparations, let their tongues wag freely at the greengrocer, insulting him and wounding his feelings, when all he’d wanted to do was help them. What could he do? His plan had gone awry. It is said that you can tell a person’s true character by his cup (that is, when he’s drunk too much wine), by his pocket (in money matters), and by his temper (if and how he loses it). Right now, Yerucham could have added that you can also tell a person by his potatoes and his onions, his garlic and oranges … Was this any way to remove the chametz from their hearts? Was this the way to show gratitude to someone who had tried to benefit them without any thought of reward for himself? How was he to blame? On the morning of 13 Nissan, his shop had a warlike appearance. The long-awaited onions had finally arrived, along with the belated oranges and a fresh supply of potatoes, lettuce and horseradish. The line in the shop reached out in the street. Yerucham stood and served his customers, drooping with fatigue. The customers waited for their turn, and the chance to express their thoughts about the whole dismal situation. “We didn’t need deliveries,” one woman said. “Every twelve hours we were back to get something else.” “This year, when the children sing about ‘she’ar yerakos’ (all the other vegetables), we’ll remember this nightmare!” “My karpas cost me ten trips to the store this year!” “I don’t suppose we’ll be seeing those kiwis before Shavuos …” Yerucham weighed produce in silence and wondered. How could a single purchase, large as it might be, make people behave this way? “Yerucham, the produce was excellent – nice and fresh,” one woman surprised him by saying. There was an uneasy stir in the store.

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Yerucham looked around to see where these refreshing words were coming from. They were like cool water on a hot day.

“That’s something that no one else has bothered to say!” Yerucham responded, opening his mouth for the first time. An uncomfortable silence fell. People mumbled “Goodbye” and disappeared with their merchandise. The 13th of Nissan, five o’clock in the afternoon: Aside from the kiwis, everything had arrived. The shop was emptied of produce and of customers. All that was left were onion peels and empty cartons everywhere. Tonight, all of his irate customers would be going through their houses, checking every crack and crevice by the light of a candle; but the true chametz was right here, in his empty store. Next year he would sell like a king, his prices high as on every Erev Pesach – that much was clear. The real question was whether he would have the strength to go on working in this store. In his heart, he was inclined to stop. He didn’t think he’d be able to simply open his shutters on Isru Chag as though nothing had happened, as though he hadn’t made so many new enemies here this week. “Yes, little girl? What do you want?” he was sick and tired of customers and their complaints. “My mother said to give you this,” the girl said. On the counter, beside the electronic scale, she placed a bottle of fine wine and an envelope. He had not yet received any complaints in writing; apparently people had no time for composing letters on Erev Pesach. He opened the envelope and read, wide-eyed: To the esteemed Mr. Yerucham Siman-Tov, On behalf of all the neighborhood’s residents, we’d like to thank you for the enormous effort you made for us all. The produce that we received was fresh and of high quality, packed with a great deal of hard work and thoughtfulness, and sold at very reasonable prices that everyone could afford. This is an opportunity to thank our devoted greengrocer for his energetic and efficient work all year round. Many of us were distressed to see and hear the angry reactions that were expressed these past few days. We know that you did everything you could to make the sale happen in the best possible way, and that the problems with supply were not your fault. We would like to apologize to you in the name of anyone who might have hurt or insulted you. Please forgive us all, for no doubt this was caused by the burden of preparing for Pesach, exhaustion and nervousness, and the desire to make a beautiful Yom Tov.

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Here is our blessing: Just as you put forth effort on behalf of the Klal and tried to benefit us, may Hashem benefit you in everything. And may all the distress that you felt become a merit for you forever. Wishing you a happy and kosher Pesach, The Neighborhood Residents The sun was setting. The street was quiet now, and so was the store. There was only the sound of Yerucham’s footsteps on the onion peels. He would sweep up in here and then go home with his bottle of fine wine and the letter. He would return on Isru Chag, b’ezras Hashem. They were not angry. They were apologetic and had sent him their thanks and appreciation. His heart, which had been pinched with pain, felt free now. Over and over again he read the words: “… an opportunity to thank our devoted greengrocer … Please forgive us all…” Every word weighed as much as a five-kilo bag of potatoes. Every word was worth gold. What had Rav Maimon said? “The great mitzvos that Hashem brings our way, each and every one of us … everyone has his chance.” Without a doubt, the person who’d written this letter and sent the bottle of wine had made use

of a wonderful chance today, an opportunity that Heaven had sent for that person alone.

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THE TEN TESTS OF HASHEM עשיתי במצרים, ובמדבר; וינסו -י, אשר אתת - כבדי ואת-האנשים, הראים את-כי כל כביד,

עמים, ולא שמעו, בקולי. אתי, זה עשר פ

מס' ערכין טו אבות

דר' נתן

רמב"ם

בפירוש

המשניות

Going into the Sea

Two by שמות יד, יא

the Sea

X X X

One coming out of the Sea (they are

coming out the other side) X

In Marah Two by שמות טו, כב

the

Water

X X

In Refidim שמות יז, א X X X

Went out on Shabbos to collect שמות טז, כו Two by

the

Mahn

X X X

Left over till the morning טז, יט שמות X X

First time טז, ג שמות Two by

the Slav

X X

Second time במדבר יא, ד X X X

The Calf Two in

the

Desert

X X X

The Spies X X X

Korach

X

The Complainers יא, א במדבר X X

X תפלו על המן

Requesting Mahn in the Desert of Tzin X

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פרקי אבות

The Mishna in Pirkei Avos ( יב :ג ) says, והוי מקבל את כל האדם בשמחה -You should greet every person with cheerfully.

Rashi explains, you should speak to every person pleasantly, young and old alike.

In the summer of 2019 in the Catskill mountains, there was a bus driver that took her first job driving a Jewish camp. She posted the following on her facebook account: I’m a school bus driver in Sullivan County. I did my first Jewish camp trip today. Three years ago I moved here and I wondered how so many people can hate our summer visitors. I guess no matter who the group is… if you put 300,000 people in any small community, it’s going to create havoc. After three summers. I can see how people get frustrated. I’ve been frustrated too. Then today happened and I felt the need to share this… as I’ve already said… today was my first trip. I had a bus full of 14 year old boys from one camp and I could not have asked for a better behaved, polite and grateful group of boys. Each one thanked me as they got on my bus and again as they got off. I asked them all not to leave a mess and there was not one thing left on my bus. Not ONE thing!! I admit I don’t much of their culture. But I read what people post about them and all their bad behavior. I guess if I came each summer to a community that makes it clear that I wasn’t welcome, I wouldn’t try too hard to be nice either. I’m sure there are always going to be bad apples in every group…. but there were 99 VERY well behaved, polite and grateful boys on our busses today and THAT doesn’t happen by accident. My hat is off to the parents raising these boys. Now that summer is coming and some people will be going to camp and on vacation to places, let’s remember to make a קידוש ה' and be polite to people that may not necessarily be so fond of us being there.

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Questions on Parshas Shelach

1. Where is the first time that Yehoshua bin Nun is mentioned in the Torah?

2. The name of which son of Yaakov appears in the name of one of the spies?

3. Who in this Parsha does Hashem call "my servant"? Who else in the Torah does Hashem call "my servant"?

4. In this Parsha, which three fruits of Eretz Yisroel’s special seven species all appear in one passuk?

5. What two places in this Parsha is someone stoned or almost stoned? Where in the Torah is someone afraid he will be stoned?

6. Where does the number 10 appear in this Parsha?

7. In this Parsha, which two people tear their clothing? When is the first time in the Torah that a group of people (not an individual) tear their clothing?

8. In this Parsha, Hashem decrees that the nation will wander in the desert for 40 years (Bamidbar 14:33). What two other places in the Torah is "40 years" mentioned?

9. Where in this Parsha is someone placed in prison (mishmar)? Who else in the Torah is placed in prison? (5 people)

10. Which passuk in this Parsha begins and ends with the same three words?

(Answers on next page)

בס"ד

17

Parshas Shelach Questions with answers

1. Where is the first time that Yehoshua bin Nun is mentioned in the Torah?

Yehoshua is first mentioned in Parshas Beshalach when he was chosen to lead the war against Amalek (Shemos 17:9).

2. The name of which son of Yaakov appears in the name of one of the spies?

The name of the spy from the tribe of Yissachar is Yigal ben Yosef (Bamidbar 13:7). 3. Who in this Parsha does Hashem call "my servant"? Who else in the Torah does Hashem call

"my servant"?

Hashem refers to Kalev ben Yefuna as "my servant" (Bamidbar 14:24). In Parshas

Beha'alosecha, Hashem refers to Moshe as "my servant" (Bamidbar 12:7-8). 4. In this Parsha, which three fruits of Eretz Yisroel’s special seven species all appear in one

passuk?

Grapes, pomegranates, and figs appear in Bamidbar 13:23, as the three species brought back by the spies from Canaan.

5. What two places in this Parsha is someone stoned or almost stoned? Where in the Torah is someone afraid he will be stoned?

When Kalev and Yehoshua praise the land of Canaan, the nation is ready to stone them (Bamidbar 14:10). Later, the one who gathers wood on Shabbos is given the death penalty of stoning (Bamidbar 15:35-36). In Parshas Beshalach, when

the nation complains, Moshe cries out to Hashem that "a bit more and they will stone me" (Shemos 17:4).

6. Where does the number 10 appear in this Parsha?

Hashem tells Moshe that the nation tested Him 10 times (Bamidbar 14:22). 7. In this Parsha, which two people tear their clothing? When is the first time in the Torah that a

group of people (not an individual) tear their clothing?

Yehoshua and Kalev tear their clothing upon realizing that the nation has accepted

the derogatory report of the Spies (Bamidbar 14:6). In Parshas Miketz, Yosef's brothers tear their clothing when a goblet is discovered in Binyamin's sack

(Bereishis 44:13). 8. In this Parsha, Hashem decrees that the nation will wander in the desert for 40 years

(Bamidbar 14:33). What two other places in the Torah is "40 years" mentioned?

Both Yitzhak and Eisav got married at 40 years old (Bereishis 25:20, 26:34). 9. Where in this Parsha is someone placed in prison (mishmar)? Who else in the Torah is

placed in prison? (5 people)

The one who gathered wood on the Shabbos is placed in prison until Hashem tells

Moshe his proper punishment (Bamidbar 15:34). In Parshas Vayeshev, (1) Pharaoh's chief butler, (2) his chief baker and (3) Yosef are all imprisoned (Bereishis 40:3) In Parshas Miketz, Yosef places his brothers in prison for three

days (Bereishis 42:17). In Parshas Emor, the person who cursed Hashem is placed in prison until Hashem reveals his proper punishment (Vayikra 24:12).

10. Which passuk in this Parsha begins and ends with the same three words?

The last passuk in the Parsha (which is also the final passuk in the third section of Kriyas Shema) begins and ends with the same three words: "Ani Hashem

Elokeichem" (Bamidbar 15:41).