"See ('u're'eetem') the Land - how is it?" (13:18) Later in the parashs, the Torah states, "And you will see ('u're'eetem') it [the tztitit] and remember all the commandments (15:39)." The word "u're'eetem" appears only one more time in the Torah - in the verse (Shemot 1:16), "And you will see on the birthing stool [literally, 'on the stones']." R' Shlomo Zalman Ehrenreich z"l (Hungary; 20th century) suggests the following connection between these three verses: The yetzer hara and the yetzer hatov each is referred to in certain verses as a "stone." The "stones" in the verse from Shmot therefore allude to the good and bad inclinations. If one will see and ponder these two stones and recognize the difference between them, he will see "the land" (referring to "This World") and "how it is." He will see that "the land" ("This World") is worthless and he will instead look at the benefits of keeping Hashem's commandments. (Tiyul Ba'pardes)
More in this printout
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- The major part of our parashahWhat drove the meraglim to discourage entering Eretz Canaan? Explore their fears of spiritual distraction and the consequences for Bnei Yisrael.
- R' Yisroel Elya Weintraub z"lR' Yisroel Elya Weintraub z"l warns against speaking ill of Eretz Yisrael from the Diaspora. What are the spiritual implications of his advice?
- CheckWhy did Moses emphasize "the land" three times? Explore the deeper meanings behind his insights on Israel's strength, cities, and fertility.
- Send out some men to spy out the land of Canaan (13:2)Explore how loshon hara and a lack of faith led to grave consequences for the spies in Canaan. What deeper truths lie in this lesson?
- Send out some men that they may spy out (veyaturu) the land of Canaan (13:2)How did the spies "undo" Canaan's spiritual ties? Explore the profound implications of their journey in this insightful analysis.
- Every one a ruler ("nasi") among them (13:2)Is true leadership defined by humility? Explore the meaning of "nasi" and why a leader must see themselves as "nothing" to truly be "something."
- Life expectancyWhy did the spies see death in the Promised Land? Unravel the deeper meaning of "ארץ אוכלת יושביה" and its implications on faith and perspective.
- For the tribe of Yosef, for the tribe of Menashe, Gaddi son of Sussi (13:11)Explore the significance of Yosef's dual tribes in the Torah and uncover the deeper meaning behind their unique blessings and lineage.
- And Moshe called Hoshea the son of Nun, Yehoshua. (13:16)Why did even the strongest spies, Yehoshua and Calev, need extra prayers? Uncover the hidden dangers of negative influences in faith.