Shelah Lekha 5778
A D’var Torah for Shelah Lekha
by Cantor Sandy Horowitz ’14
In the story of the twelve spies who scout out the land of Canaan in Parashat Shelah Lekha we experience several different leadership styles — from the spies, Joshua and Caleb, Moses and God.
God instructs Moses to send representatives from each of the twelve tribes, “everyone a leader among them”, to spy on Canaan, the land which God has promised to the Israelites. After forty days they return and ten of these tribal leaders produce an “evil report” with regard to the overwhelming size and strength of the Canaanite people. An eleventh, Caleb, expresses disagreement and suggests going right away to possess the land (Numbers 13:30). But his is a lone voice, as the ten continue their litany of fear and exaggeration.
In response the people “lifted up their voice and cried” (Numbers 14:1). They speak out against Moses, Aaron and God, Read More >