Shelach: Entering the Land |
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Numbers 4: Shelach
To Hear a Talk based on the Text below: |
Shelach
Numbers 13:1-15:41
s.1
G-d tells Moshe to send "people" to "scout out" the Land. It was the time of the ripening of the grapes, Bikurei Anavim.
[Numbers 13:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 13:2] SEND THOU MEN, THAT THEY MAY SEARCH THE LAND OF CANAAN, WHICH I GIVE UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: OF EVERY TRIBE OF THEIR FATHERS SHALL YE SEND A MAN, EVERY ONE A RULER AMONG THEM.
[Numbers 13:3] AND MOSES BY THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD SENT THEM FROM THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN: ALL THOSE MEN WERE HEADS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
The most important personages in each tribe were chosen as it says above EVERY ONE A RULER AMONG THEM. They were presumed to be the most representative and responsible. This sending of such high-grade delegates with one from each tribe indicates that the "Spying-out" was intended to be more than just a fact-finding tour of the area. It was also meant to symbolize an acceptance of the Land itself.
[Numbers 13:4] AND THESE WERE THEIR NAMES: OF THE TRIBE OF REUBEN, SHAMMUA THE SON OF ZACCUR.
[Numbers 13:5] OF THE TRIBE OF SIMEON, SHAPHAT THE SON OF HORI.
[Numbers 13:6] OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, CALEB THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH.
Caleb represented Judah. Most of Judah is today to be found with the Jews and that is where Judah gave expression to his Tribal uniqueness.
Neverthless segments from Judah were also to be found amongst the Ten Tribes. Some of the descendants of Caleb may be found in both Ireland and Finland. Kaleva is the name of an ancestral figure amongst the Finns. A certain researcher (who went by the pseudonym of Ricardo Lopez) suggested that Kaleva is another form of the name Caleb.
Caleb in Modern Hebrew is pronounced as "Kalev".
[Numbers 13:7] OF THE TRIBE OF ISSACHAR, IGAL THE SON OF JOSEPH.
[Numbers 13:8] OF THE TRIBE OF EPHRAIM, OSHEA THE SON OF NUN.
OSHEA i.e. Hoshea who was renamed Joshua i.e. Yehoshua.
NUN is probably from a Hebrew root meaning "shine" or "reign". In Aramaic "noona" means fish. Aramaic is related to Hebrew and word-roots found in the one language are also often present in the other. In different Midrashim and Aggadot (legends) Joshua is linked with a fish based on the meaning of his name which literally could be understood to mean "Son of a Fish".
Rabbi Elchanan bin Nun is the Rabbi of Shiloh in Samaria. I once asked him how he got his name. He replied that in Germany the family name had been "Fischer" and since in Aramaic "Fish" is Nun they name themselves "bin Nun" i.e. son of Nun.
[Numbers 13:9] OF THE TRIBE OF BENJAMIN, PALTI THE SON OF RAPHU.
[Numbers 13:10] OF THE TRIBE OF ZEBULUN, GADDIEL THE SON OF SODI.
[Numbers 13:11] OF THE TRIBE OF JOSEPH, NAMELY, OF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH, GADDI THE SON OF SUSI.
The Two Tribes of Joseph were Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:5). We saw above (Numbers 13:8) that Hoshea (Joshua) the son of Nun was the representative of Ephraim but there the tribe of Joseph was not mentioned. Why then is the Tribe of Joseph mentioned here in association with Manasseh?
The "Natziv" gave the following reply:
## OF THE TRIBE OF JOSEPH, NAMELY, OF THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH. All the offspring of Joseph was included in THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH and not in that of Ephraim. This is (as explained above on Numbers 2:20) that Ephraim preceded Manasseh in the first Quorum since then they were being lead [by Divine Providence] in a miraculous super-natural manner. Since then however it was required upon entering the Land of Canaan that events proceed according to the Laws of Nature whereby Manasseh was greater than Ephraim. From now on [in entering the Promised land] they would be required to conduct themselves in accordance with the Natural Order of Things THE TRIBE OF MANASSEH was to become the principal party.##
Cf. Natziv on Numbers 2:20 ##In spiritual matters Ephraim takes precedence therefore he was recorded first in the Wilderness Encampment (Numbers 2:18) and in the consecration of the altar. In the ways of this world however Menasseh was primary. This is why Menasseh was counted first in the census just before they were entered the Land (Numbers 26:29). Menasseh had precedence over Ephraim in affairs of this world (Natziv on Numbers 2:20)##.
We will see that it was Joshua from the Tribe of Ephraim together with Caleb from Judah who brought back a good report about the Land.
The representative of MANASSEH, GADDI THE SON OF SUSI joined the other Tribes and brought back a bad report. Because of the bad report of the spies the future exile of both Judah and Joseph was in some sense confirmed. In a sense it was a delayed punishment. Joseph needed to be exiled in order to fulfil his destiny. It was as if Joseph as a Tribe needed a bad report at this state and that could be why Gaddi son of Susi from the Tribe of Manasseh is also mentioned as belonging to THE TRIBE OF JOSEPH.
[Numbers 13:12] OF THE TRIBE OF DAN, AMMIEL THE SON OF GEMALLI.
[Numbers 13:13] OF THE TRIBE OF ASHER, SETHUR THE SON OF MICHAEL.
[Numbers 13:14] OF THE TRIBE OF NAPHTALI, NAHBI THE SON OF VOPHSI.
[Numbers 13:15] OF THE TRIBE OF GAD, GEUEL THE SON OF MACHI.
[Numbers 13:16] THESE ARE THE NAMES OF THE MEN WHICH MOSES SENT TO SPY OUT THE LAND. AND MOSES CALLED OSHEA THE SON OF NUN JEHOSHUA.
OSHEA in Hebrew "Hoshia" and means "Salvation" or "The Almighty is my Salvation".
[Numbers 13:17] AND MOSES SENT THEM TO SPY OUT THE LAND OF CANAAN, AND SAID UNTO THEM, GET YOU UP THIS WAY SOUTHWARD, AND GO UP INTO THE MOUNTAIN:
[Numbers 13:18] AND SEE THE LAND, WHAT IT IS, AND THE PEOPLE THAT DWELLETH THEREIN, WHETHER THEY BE STRONG OR WEAK, FEW OR MANY;
[Numbers 13:19] AND WHAT THE LAND IS THAT THEY DWELL IN, WHETHER IT BE GOOD OR BAD; AND WHAT CITIES THEY BE THAT THEY DWELL IN, WHETHER IN TENTS, OR IN STRONG HOLDS;
[Numbers 13:20] AND WHAT THE LAND IS, WHETHER IT BE FAT OR LEAN, WHETHER THERE BE WOOD THEREIN, OR NOT. AND BE YE OF GOOD COURAGE, AND BRING OF THE FRUIT OF THE LAND. NOW THE TIME WAS THE TIME OF THE FIRSTRIPE GRAPES.
s.2
The spies returned. They praised the Land of Canaan but also described its inhabitants as being too strong for the Israelites to overcome.
The day the spies returned according to tradition was the Ninth of Av which is the day the destruction of the First and second Temples in mourned over.
[Zechariah 8:19] THUS SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS; THE FAST OF THE FOURTH MONTH, AND THE FAST OF THE FIFTH, AND THE FAST OF THE SEVENTH, AND THE FAST OF THE TENTH, SHALL BE TO THE HOUSE OF JUDAH JOY AND GLADNESS, AND CHEERFUL FEASTS; THEREFORE LOVE THE TRUTH AND PEACE.
These four fasts are the four days of mourning associated with the destruction of the Temple. When the Temple is rebuilt they will become feast days.
These fasts are still kept by the present-day Jews who are descended from Judah.
The Jews keep the four fasts of mourning over the Destruction of the Second Temple as prophesied by Zechariah 8:19
i.e.
THE FAST OF THE FOURTH MONTH, -17th Tammuz
THE FAST OF THE FIFTH, - 9th of Av
AND THE FAST OF THE SEVENTH, - 3rd of Tishrei (Gedaliah)
AND THE FAST OF THE TENTH, - 10th Tebeth (Tevet).
[Numbers 13:21] SO THEY WENT UP, AND SEARCHED THE LAND FROM THE WILDERNESS OF ZIN UNTO REHOB, AS MEN COME TO HAMATH.
[Numbers 13:22] AND THEY ASCENDED BY THE SOUTH, AND CAME UNTO HEBRON; WHERE AHIMAN, SHESHAI, AND TALMAI, THE CHILDREN OF ANAK, WERE. (NOW HEBRON WAS BUILT SEVEN YEARS BEFORE ZOAN IN EGYPT.)
[Numbers 13:23] AND THEY CAME UNTO THE BROOK OF ESHCOL, AND CUT DOWN FROM THENCE A BRANCH WITH ONE CLUSTER OF GRAPES, AND THEY BARE IT BETWEEN TWO UPON A STAFF; AND THEY BROUGHT OF THE POMEGRANATES, AND OF THE FIGS.
[Numbers 13:24] THE PLACE WAS CALLED THE BROOK ESHCOL, BECAUSE OF THE CLUSTER OF GRAPES WHICH THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL CUT DOWN FROM THENCE.
[Numbers 13:25] AND THEY RETURNED FROM SEARCHING OF THE LAND AFTER FORTY DAYS.
[Numbers 13:26] AND THEY WENT AND CAME TO MOSES, AND TO AARON, AND TO ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, UNTO THE WILDERNESS OF PARAN, TO KADESH; AND BROUGHT BACK WORD UNTO THEM, AND UNTO ALL THE CONGREGATION, AND SHEWED THEM THE FRUIT OF THE LAND.
[Numbers 13:27] AND THEY TOLD HIM, AND SAID, WE CAME UNTO THE LAND WHITHER THOU SENTEST US, AND SURELY IT FLOWETH WITH MILK AND HONEY; AND THIS IS THE FRUIT OF IT.
[Numbers 13:28] NEVERTHELESS THE PEOPLE BE STRONG THAT DWELL IN THE LAND, AND THE CITIES ARE WALLED, AND VERY GREAT: AND MOREOVER WE SAW THE CHILDREN OF ANAK THERE.
[Numbers 13:29] THE AMALEKITES DWELL IN THE LAND OF THE SOUTH: AND THE HITTITES, AND THE JEBUSITES, AND THE AMORITES, DWELL IN THE MOUNTAINS: AND THE CANAANITES DWELL BY THE SEA, AND BY THE COAST OF JORDAN.
[Numbers 13:30] AND CALEB STILLED THE PEOPLE BEFORE MOSES, AND SAID, LET US GO UP AT ONCE, AND POSSESS IT; FOR WE ARE WELL ABLE TO OVERCOME IT.
This indicates that Caleb from the Tribe of Judah was the most ardent advocate in favor of the land and of the need to conquer it. Caleb, as we see below, was joined by Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua in Hebrew "Yehoshua") from the Tribe of Ephraim.
[Numbers 13:31] BUT THE MEN THAT WENT UP WITH HIM SAID, WE BE NOT ABLE TO GO UP AGAINST THE PEOPLE; FOR THEY ARE STRONGER THAN WE.
[Numbers 13:32] AND THEY BROUGHT UP AN EVIL REPORT OF THE LAND WHICH THEY HAD SEARCHED UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING, THE LAND, THROUGH WHICH WE HAVE GONE TO SEARCH IT, IS A LAND THAT EATETH UP THE INHABITANTS THEREOF; AND ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE SAW IN IT ARE MEN OF A GREAT STATURE.
[Numbers 13:33] AND THERE WE SAW THE GIANTS, THE SONS OF ANAK, WHICH COME OF THE GIANTS: AND WE WERE IN OUR OWN SIGHT AS GRASSHOPPERS, AND SO WE WERE IN THEIR SIGHT.
[Numbers 14:1] AND ALL THE CONGREGATION LIFTED UP THEIR VOICE, AND CRIED; AND THE PEOPLE WEPT THAT NIGHT.
[Numbers 14:2] AND ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL MURMURED AGAINST MOSES AND AGAINST AARON: AND THE WHOLE CONGREGATION SAID UNTO THEM, WOULD GOD THAT WE HAD DIED IN THE LAND OF EGYPT! OR WOULD GOD WE HAD DIED IN THIS WILDERNESS!
[Numbers 14:3] AND WHEREFORE HATH THE LORD BROUGHT US UNTO THIS LAND, TO FALL BY THE SWORD, THAT OUR WIVES AND OUR CHILDREN SHOULD BE A PREY? WERE IT NOT BETTER FOR US TO RETURN INTO EGYPT?
[Numbers 14:4] AND THEY SAID ONE TO ANOTHER, LET US MAKE A CAPTAIN, AND LET US RETURN INTO EGYPT.
[Numbers 14:5] THEN MOSES AND AARON FELL ON THEIR FACES BEFORE ALL THE ASSEMBLY OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
[Numbers 14:6] AND JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN, AND CALEB THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH, WHICH WERE OF THEM THAT SEARCHED THE LAND, RENT THEIR CLOTHES:
We see here that out of all the Israelite Tribes only the representatives of Ephraim and Judah were in favor of conquering the Land according to how the Almighty had commanded ALL Israel!
Nowadays Judah has begun to return and resettle the Land of Israel. The Land of Israel (formerly known as "Palestine") had been ruled by the Turks and settled by the Arabs. Under the Turks the Jews had begun to return and resettle the land. Those who returned were both religious Jews (the majority at that time) along with some secular Zionists who later took control. The Turks discriminated against the Jews and on occasion had severely persecuted them. The British however protected them and did whatever was possible to help. At that time the Turkish Empire was corrupt and decaying. Turkey was known as the "sick man of Europe". The Turks ruled over most of the Middle East and also had claims in North Africa and Europe. In order to gain influence in the Turkish Empire different powers became "patrons" of minority religious communities. The Russians protected the Greek Orthodox and Armenians who were important in Armenia and Palestine. The French protected the Roman Catholics who were dominant in Lebanon and elsewhere. The Germans in general showed an interest in the Protestants. The British protected the Jews. The British also saved the local Samaritan community from being massacred by their Arab neighbors.
"Palestine" was liberated by the British Forces in World War I with ANZAC (Australian and New Zealanders) force playing a prominent role. After that the British set up the mandate and rendered important assistance in building up the foundations of the Jewish State. Towards the end the British tried to backtrack and there was fiction between them and the Jews. This however should not be allowed to nullify the fact that the British through the Balfour Declaration and their early rulership had in effect enabled the Zionist enterprise to establish itself. They rendered great assistance. We identify the British as primarily from Ephraim. In setting up the State of Israel and getting its existence acknowledged by the United Nations great assistance was rendered by the USA.
After the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 the Israelis received much help from France whom we identify with Reuben the firstborn son of Israel. In 1956 the Israeli conquered Sinai from the Egyptians. The Israeli were in league with the British and French. France and Britain wanted control of the Suez Canal linking the Mediterranean with the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. The USA under Eisenhower forced them all to retreat and give the Sinai and the Suez Canal back to Egypt. Later the USA became the primary (and often the ONLY) supporter of the State of Israel.
There must be some significance in the fact that from the beginning the Jews were helped to return to their land and establish themselves in it by the tribes of Reuben, Ephraim, and Manasseh with the two Tribes of Joseph having been especially important.
[Numbers 14:7] AND THEY SPAKE UNTO ALL THE COMPANY OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, SAYING, THE LAND, WHICH WE PASSED THROUGH TO SEARCH IT, IS AN EXCEEDING GOOD LAND.
s.3
Due to the People accepting the negative report of the Spies and not wanting to enter the Land the Almighty is angry and threatens to destroy all the people. Moses intercedes. God accepted the intercession of Moses but says that apart from Joshua and Caleb none of the generation would be allowed to go into the land but would die in the Wilderness.
At least from the simple superficial point of view we see that,
The peoples were promised more severely for not wanting to enter the land than they were for the sin of the Golden Calf.
Joshua and Caleb reasoned with the People of Israel:
[Numbers 14:8] IF THE LORD DELIGHT IN US, THEN HE WILL BRING US INTO THIS LAND, AND GIVE IT US; A LAND WHICH FLOWETH WITH MILK AND HONEY.
[Numbers 14:9] ONLY REBEL NOT YE AGAINST THE LORD, NEITHER FEAR YE THE PEOPLE OF THE LAND; FOR THEY ARE BREAD FOR US: THEIR DEFENCE IS DEPARTED FROM THEM, AND THE LORD IS WITH US: FEAR THEM NOT.
Do not fear the heathens.
You are commanded to settle the Land.
All of Israel has such an obligation.
At the moment Judah has begun the work on behalf of all the Israelites.
All other Israelites cannot return at present for all kinds of reasons.
Nevertheless, THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION to help Judah.
Do not repeat the sin of the Spies.
Do not desert Judah.
Help the State of Israel survive.
Help the Jews settle wherever they can within the Land of Israel and especially in Judah and Samaria!
[Numbers 14:10] BUT ALL THE CONGREGATION BADE STONE THEM WITH STONES. AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD APPEARED IN THE TABERNACLE OF THE CONGREGATION BEFORE ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL.
[Numbers 14:11] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, HOW LONG WILL THIS PEOPLE PROVOKE ME? AND HOW LONG WILL IT BE ERE THEY BELIEVE ME, FOR ALL THE SIGNS WHICH I HAVE SHEWED AMONG THEM?
[Numbers 14:12] I WILL SMITE THEM WITH THE PESTILENCE, AND DISINHERIT THEM, AND WILL MAKE OF THEE A GREATER NATION AND MIGHTIER THAN THEY.
[Numbers 14:13] AND MOSES SAID UNTO THE LORD, THEN THE EGYPTIANS SHALL HEAR IT, (FOR THOU BROUGHTEST UP THIS PEOPLE IN THY MIGHT FROM AMONG THEM;)
[Numbers 14:14] AND THEY WILL TELL IT TO THE INHABITANTS OF THIS LAND: FOR THEY HAVE HEARD THAT THOU LORD ART AMONG THIS PEOPLE, THAT THOU LORD ART SEEN FACE TO FACE, AND THAT THY CLOUD STANDETH OVER THEM, AND THAT THOU GOEST BEFORE THEM, BY DAY TIME IN A PILLAR OF A CLOUD, AND IN A PILLAR OF FIRE BY NIGHT.
[Numbers 14:15] NOW IF THOU SHALT KILL ALL THIS PEOPLE AS ONE MAN, THEN THE NATIONS WHICH HAVE HEARD THE FAME OF THEE WILL SPEAK, SAYING,
[Numbers 14:16] BECAUSE THE LORD WAS NOT ABLE TO BRING THIS PEOPLE INTO THE LAND WHICH HE SWARE UNTO THEM, THEREFORE HE HATH SLAIN THEM IN THE WILDERNESS.
[Numbers 14:17] AND NOW, I BESEECH THEE, LET THE POWER OF MY LORD BE GREAT, ACCORDING AS THOU HAST SPOKEN, SAYING,
[Numbers 14:18] THE LORD IS LONGSUFFERING, AND OF GREAT MERCY, FORGIVING INIQUITY AND TRANSGRESSION, AND BY NO MEANS CLEARING THE GUILTY, VISITING THE INIQUITY OF THE FATHERS UPON THE CHILDREN UNTO THE THIRD AND FOURTH GENERATION.
[Numbers 14:19] PARDON, I BESEECH THEE, THE INIQUITY OF THIS PEOPLE ACCORDING UNTO THE GREATNESS OF THY MERCY, AND AS THOU HAST FORGIVEN THIS PEOPLE, FROM EGYPT EVEN UNTIL NOW.
[Numbers 14:20] AND THE LORD SAID, I HAVE PARDONED ACCORDING TO THY WORD:
[Numbers 14:21] BUT AS TRULY AS I LIVE, ALL THE EARTH SHALL BE FILLED WITH THE GLORY OF THE LORD.
[Numbers 14:22] BECAUSE ALL THOSE MEN WHICH HAVE SEEN MY GLORY, AND MY MIRACLES, WHICH I DID IN EGYPT AND IN THE WILDERNESS, AND HAVE TEMPTED ME NOW THESE TEN TIMES, AND HAVE NOT HEARKENED TO MY VOICE;
[Numbers 14:23] SURELY THEY SHALL NOT SEE THE LAND WHICH I SWARE UNTO THEIR FATHERS, NEITHER SHALL ANY OF THEM THAT PROVOKED ME SEE IT:
[Numbers 14:24] BUT MY SERVANT CALEB, BECAUSE HE HAD ANOTHER SPIRIT WITH HIM, AND HATH FOLLOWED ME FULLY, HIM WILL I BRING INTO THE LAND WHEREINTO HE WENT; AND HIS SEED SHALL POSSESS IT.
[Numbers 14:25] (NOW THE AMALEKITES AND THE CANAANITES DWELT IN THE VALLEY.) TOMORROW TURN YOU, AND GET YOU INTO THE WILDERNESS BY THE WAY OF THE RED SEA.
The Amalekites and Cananaites were already known as fierce opponents of the Israelites and were regarded as formidable foes.
s.4
[Numbers 14:26] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES AND UNTO AARON, SAYING,
[Numbers 14:27] HOW LONG SHALL I BEAR WITH THIS EVIL CONGREGATION, WHICH MURMUR AGAINST ME? I HAVE HEARD THE MURMURINGS OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, WHICH THEY MURMUR AGAINST ME.
[Numbers 14:28] SAY UNTO THEM, AS TRULY AS I LIVE, SAITH THE LORD, AS YE HAVE SPOKEN IN MINE EARS, SO WILL I DO TO YOU:
[Numbers 14:29] YOUR CARCASES SHALL FALL IN THIS WILDERNESS; AND ALL THAT WERE NUMBERED OF YOU, ACCORDING TO YOUR WHOLE NUMBER, FROM TWENTY YEARS OLD AND UPWARD WHICH HAVE MURMURED AGAINST ME.
[Numbers 14:30] DOUBTLESS YE SHALL NOT COME INTO THE LAND, CONCERNING WHICH I SWARE TO MAKE YOU DWELL THEREIN, SAVE CALEB THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH, AND JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN.
[Numbers 14:31] BUT YOUR LITTLE ONES, WHICH YE SAID SHOULD BE A PREY, THEM WILL I BRING IN, AND THEY SHALL KNOW THE LAND WHICH YE HAVE DESPISED.
[Numbers 14:32] BUT AS FOR YOU, YOUR CARCASES, THEY SHALL FALL IN THIS WILDERNESS.
[Numbers 14:33] AND YOUR CHILDREN SHALL WANDER IN THE WILDERNESS FORTY YEARS, AND BEAR YOUR WHOREDOMS, UNTIL YOUR CARCASES BE WASTED IN THE WILDERNESS.
[Numbers 14:34] AFTER THE NUMBER OF THE DAYS IN WHICH YE SEARCHED THE LAND, EVEN FORTY DAYS, EACH DAY FOR A YEAR, SHALL YE BEAR YOUR INIQUITIES, EVEN FORTY YEARS, AND YE SHALL KNOW MY BREACH OF PROMISE.
[Numbers 14:35] I THE LORD HAVE SAID, I WILL SURELY DO IT UNTO ALL THIS EVIL CONGREGATION, THAT ARE GATHERED TOGETHER AGAINST ME: IN THIS WILDERNESS THEY SHALL BE CONSUMED, AND THERE THEY SHALL DIE.
[Numbers 14:36] AND THE MEN, WHICH MOSES SENT TO SEARCH THE LAND, WHO RETURNED, AND MADE ALL THE CONGREGATION TO MURMUR AGAINST HIM, BY BRINGING UP A SLANDER UPON THE LAND,
[Numbers 14:37] EVEN THOSE MEN THAT DID BRING UP THE EVIL REPORT UPON THE LAND, DIED BY THE PLAGUE BEFORE THE LORD.
[Numbers 14:38] BUT JOSHUA THE SON OF NUN, AND CALEB THE SON OF JEPHUNNEH, WHICH WERE OF THE MEN THAT WENT TO SEARCH THE LAND, LIVED STILL.
[Numbers 14:39] AND MOSES TOLD THESE SAYINGS UNTO ALL THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL: AND THE PEOPLE MOURNED GREATLY.
[Numbers 14:40] AND THEY ROSE UP EARLY IN THE MORNING, AND GAT THEM UP INTO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN, SAYING, LO, WE BE HERE, AND WILL GO UP UNTO THE PLACE WHICH THE LORD HATH PROMISED: FOR WE HAVE SINNED.
[Numbers 14:41] AND MOSES SAID, WHEREFORE NOW DO YE TRANSGRESS THE COMMANDMENT OF THE LORD? BUT IT SHALL NOT PROSPER.
[Numbers 14:42] GO NOT UP, FOR THE LORD IS NOT AMONG YOU; THAT YE BE NOT SMITTEN BEFORE YOUR ENEMIES.
[Numbers 14:43] FOR THE AMALEKITES AND THE CANAANITES ARE THERE BEFORE YOU, AND YE SHALL FALL BY THE SWORD: BECAUSE YE ARE TURNED AWAY FROM THE LORD, THEREFORE THE LORD WILL NOT BE WITH YOU.
[Numbers 14:44] BUT THEY PRESUMED TO GO UP UNTO THE HILL TOP: NEVERTHELESS THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD, AND MOSES, DEPARTED NOT OUT OF THE CAMP.
[Numbers 14:45] THEN THE AMALEKITES CAME DOWN, AND THE CANAANITES WHICH DWELT IN THAT HILL, AND SMOTE THEM, AND DISCOMFITED THEM, EVEN UNTO HORMAH.
The Israelites tried to enter the land after it had been decried that they would have to ewander in the Wilderness first.
So too, a Midrash says that before the Children of Israel went out of Egypt lead by Moses the Tribe of Ephraim tried to go out on their own and many were killed. This is hinted at in the Book of Chronicles (1-Chronicles 7:21-22).
Many "Ephraimites" (i.e. Joes who know they descend from Israel) want to come to Israel at present but the time is not right. For the present they can come as tourists and seek to fulfil their destiny as Israelites in their places of sojourning. In the future this will change. In the meantime it has not.
Torah Titbit (Phil Chernofsky):[Numbers 15:1] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
#The Torah next sets down the details of the flour and oil offering and libation of wine that are to accompany most korbanot.
#It is important to note the context of these laws. Right after being told that the older generation (males) will not enter the Land, G-d comforts the people by teaching procedures that will apply in Eretz Yisrael, specifically mitzvot [commandments]that are to be "pleasing to G-d" (and even though they are commanded elsewhere). It is as if G-d says, "Don't be too dismayed; your children will live in Eretz Yisrael and will serve Me in the Beit HaMikdash" in this special way##
[Numbers 15:2] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM, WHEN YE BE COME INTO THE LAND OF YOUR HABITATIONS, WHICH I GIVE UNTO YOU,
[Numbers 15:3] AND WILL MAKE AN OFFERING BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD, A BURNT OFFERING, OR A SACRIFICE IN PERFORMING A VOW, OR IN A FREEWILL OFFERING, OR IN YOUR SOLEMN FEASTS, TO MAKE A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD, OF THE HERD OR OF THE FLOCK:
[Numbers 15:4] THEN SHALL HE THAT OFFERETH HIS OFFERING UNTO THE LORD BRING A MEAT OFFERING OF A TENTH DEAL OF FLOUR MINGLED WITH THE FOURTH PART OF AN HIN OF OIL.
[Numbers 15:5] AND THE FOURTH PART OF AN HIN OF WINE FOR A DRINK OFFERING SHALT THOU PREPARE WITH THE BURNT OFFERING OR SACRIFICE, FOR ONE LAMB.
[Numbers 15:6] OR FOR A RAM, THOU SHALT PREPARE FOR A MEAT OFFERING TWO TENTH DEALS OF FLOUR MINGLED WITH THE THIRD PART OF AN HIN OF OIL.
[Numbers 15:7] AND FOR A DRINK OFFERING THOU SHALT OFFER THE THIRD PART OF AN HIN OF WINE, FOR A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
s.5
[Numbers 15:8] AND WHEN THOU PREPAREST A BULLOCK FOR A BURNT OFFERING, OR FOR A SACRIFICE IN PERFORMING A VOW, OR PEACE OFFERINGS UNTO THE LORD:
[Numbers 15:9] THEN SHALL HE BRING WITH A BULLOCK A MEAT OFFERING OF THREE TENTH DEALS OF FLOUR MINGLED WITH HALF AN HIN OF OIL.
[Numbers 15:10] AND THOU SHALT BRING FOR A DRINK OFFERING HALF AN HIN OF WINE, FOR AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
[Numbers 15:11] THUS SHALL IT BE DONE FOR ONE BULLOCK, OR FOR ONE RAM, OR FOR A LAMB, OR A KID.
[Numbers 15:12] ACCORDING TO THE NUMBER THAT YE SHALL PREPARE, SO SHALL YE DO TO EVERY ONE ACCORDING TO THEIR NUMBER.
[Numbers 15:13] ALL THAT ARE BORN OF THE COUNTRY SHALL DO THESE THINGS AFTER THIS MANNER, IN OFFERING AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD.
[Numbers 15:14] AND IF A STRANGER SOJOURN WITH YOU, OR WHOSOEVER BE AMONG YOU IN YOUR GENERATIONS, AND WILL OFFER AN OFFERING MADE BY FIRE, OF A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD; AS YE DO, SO HE SHALL DO.
[Numbers 15:15] ONE ORDINANCE SHALL BE BOTH FOR YOU OF THE CONGREGATION, AND ALSO FOR THE STRANGER THAT SOJOURNETH WITH YOU, AN ORDINANCE FOR EVER IN YOUR GENERATIONS: AS YE ARE, SO SHALL THE STRANGER BE BEFORE THE LORD.
The Stranger from another nations who joins the Israelite Nation or in a religious sense converts to Judaism as a Convert is to be given the same privileges and obligations as everyone else. The Torah emphasizes this often.
[Numbers 15:16] ONE LAW AND ONE MANNER SHALL BE FOR YOU, AND FOR THE STRANGER THAT SOJOURNETH WITH YOU.
s.6
[Numbers 15:17] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 15:18] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND SAY UNTO THEM, WHEN YE COME INTO THE LAND WHITHER I BRING YOU,
[Numbers 15:19] THEN IT SHALL BE, THAT, WHEN YE EAT OF THE BREAD OF THE LAND, YE SHALL OFFER UP AN HEAVE OFFERING UNTO THE LORD.
[Numbers 15:20] YE SHALL OFFER UP A CAKE OF THE FIRST OF YOUR DOUGH FOR AN HEAVE OFFERING: AS YE DO THE HEAVE OFFERING OF THE THRESHINGFLOOR, SO SHALL YE HEAVE IT.
[Numbers 15:21] OF THE FIRST OF YOUR DOUGH YE SHALL GIVE UNTO THE LORD AN HEAVE OFFERING IN YOUR GENERATIONS.
[Numbers 15:22] AND IF YE HAVE ERRED, AND NOT OBSERVED ALL THESE COMMANDMENTS, WHICH THE LORD HATH SPOKEN UNTO MOSES,
[Numbers 15:23] EVEN ALL THAT THE LORD HATH COMMANDED YOU BY THE HAND OF MOSES, FROM THE DAY THAT THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES, AND HENCEFORWARD AMONG YOUR GENERATIONS;
[Numbers 15:24] THEN IT SHALL BE, IF OUGHT BE COMMITTED BY IGNORANCE WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CONGREGATION, THAT ALL THE CONGREGATION SHALL OFFER ONE YOUNG BULLOCK FOR A BURNT OFFERING, FOR A SWEET SAVOUR UNTO THE LORD, WITH HIS MEAT OFFERING, AND HIS DRINK OFFERING, ACCORDING TO THE MANNER, AND ONE KID OF THE GOATS FOR A SIN OFFERING.
[Numbers 15:25] AND THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN THEM; FOR IT IS IGNORANCE: AND THEY SHALL BRING THEIR OFFERING, A SACRIFICE MADE BY FIRE UNTO THE LORD, AND THEIR SIN OFFERING BEFORE THE LORD, FOR THEIR IGNORANCE:
[Numbers 15:26] AND IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN ALL THE CONGREGATION OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND THE STRANGER THAT SOJOURNETH AMONG THEM; SEEING ALL THE PEOPLE WERE IN IGNORANCE.
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[Numbers 15:27] AND IF ANY SOUL SIN THROUGH IGNORANCE, THEN HE SHALL BRING A SHE GOAT OF THE FIRST YEAR FOR A SIN OFFERING.
[Numbers 15:28] AND THE PRIEST SHALL MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR THE SOUL THAT SINNETH IGNORANTLY, WHEN HE SINNETH BY IGNORANCE BEFORE THE LORD, TO MAKE AN ATONEMENT FOR HIM; AND IT SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM.
[Numbers 15:29] YE SHALL HAVE ONE LAW FOR HIM THAT SINNETH THROUGH IGNORANCE, BOTH FOR HIM THAT IS BORN AMONG THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND FOR THE STRANGER THAT SOJOURNETH AMONG THEM.
[Numbers 15:30] BUT THE SOUL THAT DOETH OUGHT PRESUMPTUOUSLY, WHETHER HE BE BORN IN THE LAND, OR A STRANGER, THE SAME REPROACHETH THE LORD; AND THAT SOUL SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM AMONG HIS PEOPLE.
[Numbers 15:31] BECAUSE HE HATH DESPISED THE WORD OF THE LORD, AND HATH BROKEN HIS COMMANDMENT, THAT SOUL SHALL UTTERLY BE CUT OFF; HIS INIQUITY SHALL BE UPON HIM.
[Numbers 15:32] AND WHILE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL WERE IN THE WILDERNESS, THEY FOUND A MAN THAT GATHERED STICKS UPON THE SABBATH DAY.
[Numbers 15:33] AND THEY THAT FOUND HIM GATHERING STICKS BROUGHT HIM UNTO MOSES AND AARON, AND UNTO ALL THE CONGREGATION.
[Numbers 15:34] AND THEY PUT HIM IN WARD, BECAUSE IT WAS NOT DECLARED WHAT SHOULD BE DONE TO HIM.
[Numbers 15:35] AND THE LORD SAID UNTO MOSES, THE MAN SHALL BE SURELY PUT TO DEATH: ALL THE CONGREGATION SHALL STONE HIM WITH STONES WITHOUT THE CAMP.
[Numbers 15:36] AND ALL THE CONGREGATION BROUGHT HIM WITHOUT THE CAMP, AND STONED HIM WITH STONES, AND HE DIED; AS THE LORD COMMANDED MOSES.
[Numbers 15:37] AND THE LORD SPAKE UNTO MOSES, SAYING,
[Numbers 15:38] SPEAK UNTO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, AND BID THEM THAT THEY MAKE THEM FRINGES IN THE BORDERS OF THEIR GARMENTS THROUGHOUT THEIR GENERATIONS, AND THAT THEY PUT UPON THE FRINGE OF THE BORDERS A RIBBAND OF BLUE:
[Numbers 15:39] AND IT SHALL BE UNTO YOU FOR A FRINGE, THAT YE MAY LOOK UPON IT, AND REMEMBER ALL THE COMMANDMENTS OF THE LORD, AND DO THEM; AND THAT YE SEEK NOT AFTER YOUR OWN HEART AND YOUR OWN EYES, AFTER WHICH YE USE TO GO A WHORING:
[Numbers 15:40] THAT YE MAY REMEMBER, AND DO ALL MY COMMANDMENTS, AND BE HOLY UNTO YOUR GOD.
[Numbers 15:41] I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD, WHICH BROUGHT YOU OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT, TO BE YOUR GOD: I AM THE LORD YOUR GOD.
The Haftorah (Extract from the Prophets read after the Torah portion) is taken from the Book of Joshua chapter 2. This tells how later when the Israelites under Joshua did conquer the land they sent two spies before them who did return with a very favorable encouraging report.
It also tells us about Rahab (Rachav) who was a Canaanite prostitute who helped the Israelite spies and encouraged them.
As a reward the lives of Rahab and her family were spared. According to tradition she later married Joshua and very great people including the Prophet Jermiah were descended from her.
No matter who you are or what you have done you can always repent and find a place with the God of Israel.
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