Ingratitude

Shavua Tov. Another important point learned from today's Parsha is that one must never be an ingrate. One is always obligated to be appreciative of any kindness that one does for him.This was exactly the speech that Kalev made after hearing the evil report of the spies. After tearing his clothes as a sign of mourning, he reminded the people that it was Moshe Rabbeinu who split the Red Sea and gave the Manna and the quails.When Kalev said עלה נעלה, that we shall surely go up, Rashi says that Kalev further said that if Moshe told us to build ladders to go heavenward, we should believe him for he fulfills whatever he says.Rav Mann זצ״ל wrote that Kalev was telling the people to elevate themselves to a spiritual level and rise up their low level of fears and doubts. Ingratitude is a terrible trait.

פרשת שלח

This week's Parsha has the tragic story of the spies and their bad mouthing the Land of Israel. They complained that the land devours its inhabitants. The Alshich says that they blamed the destructive nature of the land on its climate. Only the supermen who lived there could handle the challenges presented by the land. They cut clusters of grapes to show how massive the fruits were in Canaan.The report of the spies demoralized the people and they cried bitterly on the ninth of Av. Hashem said that because they cried for nothing, this would be a day of crying for generations.Kalev was particularly effective in silencing the spies. He insisted that they no longer had any protection and they were לחמינו, like bread. The Alshich says that they were like the Manna, which was the bread of the day. Just as the Manna melted after no use, the inhabitants of the land would also melt.The sin of the spies was one of the most grievous in our history. One needs to be very careful before ever speaking badly about Israel in any way. Shabbat Shalom

Positive and Negative Sadness

The Tanya addresses the issue of sadness and says that there is positive sadness and negative sadness.Positive sadness comes from remorse of our having sinned or having made bad decisions that we might regret. After temporarily getting past this sadness, we are left with a strong resolve to be stronger and wiser in the future.Negative sadness comes mainly from worrying about material things such as wealth, health, and our children. When we worry about any of these items, it is a reflection on our being disconnected from Hashem's love and protection.Is such worries overtake us, we are left with a feeling of lethargy and a lack of enthusiasm in facing the world. Laziness and depression is not far behind.Feeling G-d's love and protection gives us the alacrity and excitement and joy necessary in coping with life in a positive way.

Oaths and vows

There is a great deal written about making oaths and vows. The book of Kohelet says that it's far better not to make a vow than to vow and not fulfill it. The revoking of a vow needed to be done in front of a Beit Din or Jewish court. Oaths, or a שבועה, is considered even more severe and should be avoided at all costs. A שבועה from the Torah involved taking hold of a Torah scroll or Tefillin and swearing by using one of G-d's holy names. A Rabbinic oath is less severe but is something for which we are accountable.The Rambam lists various commandments in terms of their severity. He writes that violating an oath by swearing falsely, even though it is not punishable by death by the court or Karet, is still considered very severe. We must be very careful with our speech.

Two Shemas

The Tanya makes a claim that the Jewish soul has a built in mechanism of love for G-d that he may not be consciously aware of. It becomes manifested if a Jew is confronted with a life and death situation of risking his life rather than worship idols.The Tanya believes that this hidden love that is found in the soul of every Jew will shine through. Any Jew of any background will be prepared to die rather than violate idols.The Tanya goes on to explain that we recite the Shema, which is actually a prayer of martyrdom, both in the morning and evening, in order to read for this commitment of love that we all have for Hashem.The recitation of Shema is to serve as a reminder that this hidden love exists and it should cause us to bring it from the hidden to the revealed. It is this love for Hashem that gives our lives purpose and meaning.The next time we recite the Shema, we should try to keep in mind this idea of our hidden love of G-d.

בהעלותך

Parshat בהעלותך has many interesting subjects such as the commandment to אהרון to light the Menorah, the traveling in the desert in an orderly fashion, the making of silver trumpets, and the לשון הרע spoken by Miriam against Moshe.The Alshich spends the most emphasis on the story of the complainers of the lack of meat. This complaint was instigated by the ערב רב and the real complaint was that they were unhappy with all of the sexual restrictions of the Torah. They complained that the Manna was constipating and did not have enough protein to give strength.The positive side of these complaints is that it led to the formation of the first Sanhedrin that lasted until 358 of the Common Era.We also learn a great deal about prophecy in this Parsha. Eldad and Meidad were given the gift of prophecy. Yehoshua was upset that they predicted that Moshe would die and he would lead the nation into Israel. Moshe showed his humility by saying that he wished everyone would reach the spiritual high of Eldad and Meidad.