Shabbat Shelah-Lekha 5782
When the scouts return from reconnoitering the Promised Land, their panic proves to be contagious. The Israelites bewail their predicament, longing for a more peaceful death. They would rather have perished in Egypt and would even accept death in the wilderness. Anything would be better than to die by the sword of the giant enemy inhabitants of the Land. In a sense, their wish is granted, for God condemns the entire generation over the age of 20 to sink into the sand without entering Canaan. Transition is not easy, and the Israelites who leave Egypt never really allow Egypt to leave them.
My goal in offering the weekly musical scavenger hunt is to entice people to read the Torah portion carefully, as well as to have some fun with music. Even if you don’t care for the video clips, it’s worthwhile to read the parshah anyway. For those who want to play along, why did I think of these songs?
We will reveal the connection of these songs to the Torah portion after Shabbat minhah, which begins this week at 8 PM, at Seudah Shelishit.
Wishing you a Shabbat Shalom,
Rabbi David Wise
Candle lighting: 8:12 PM
Torah Reading: Numbers 13:1-15:41
Haftarah: Joshua 2:1-24
