38 shelach Boletin "Shabbat Shalom" Resumen de la Parasha Semanal

We pray every week for the leaders of the Jewish Ministry,

• Website: https://jewishadventist-org.gcnetadventist.org

A must website. To subscribe to our newsletter. To download some resources (Hebrew Sabbath School, and other documents). To order the book “Comfort, Comfort my people…” and many other things.

•

Professional Urban Development: The WJAFC provides: - Professional Urban training for Jewish Ministry - Teaching for theological students - Help to plant new congregations.

- Support for AdventistJewish dialogue with scholars and rabbis

Shalom Adventure Magazine online: www.ShalomAdventure.com

If you would like to read articles, watch videos, learn things about Judaism and Israel, this website is just for you.

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WJAFC: If you would like to share with people, this forum on facebook is a good place for that.

• Photos on Google+: http://picasaweb.google.com/jewishadventist: We have posted a lot of pictures on Internet during the last years. Don’t hesitate to look at them.

• WebRadio: www.shema-israel-radio.com

If you would like to listen Jewish or Messianic songs. If you want to be used to ear modern Hebrew of the Apostolic Writings, it is the right radio to listen on the web.

• Adventist Mission Website: http://wjafc.adventistmission.org/ This website is the new resource provided by the Office of Adventist Mission of the General Conference of the Seventh-day Adventists.

• Russian Website: http://www.boruh.info/ This website is in Russian, many articles and the parasha are posted on it every week.

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This issue

News P.1 Parasha’s comments P.2-4 Haftara P.4-5 Apostolic Writings P.5 Stories P.6 Inspirational Corner P.6,7 Color Sheet for Kids P.7

Weekly Jewish-Adventist Journal of Information

week for lead-

Paris

A weekly Journal of information and training published by the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center Under the umbrella of the General Conference —Office of Adventist Mission

Journal of Information and Training — Issue 687— 2 July 2 0 1 6 / 2 6 S i v a n 5 7 7 6

ers of the Jewish Ministry, According to our list of prayer for 2016, I suggest that our partners pray from

NEWS

New Sabbath School Portuguese Contextualized i Hebrew Sabbath School We just received two Sabbath school Sabbath School quarterly for the third quarter of this year, that means July-September 2016.

The first one is in Hebrew and the second one is contextualized for the people who read and understand Portuguese, people from Brazil and portugal.

The Hebrew Sabbath School is available at the website of our ministry “jewishadventist.org”

Richard Amram Elofer

Russian Edition: Alexandra Obrevko French Edition: Sabine Baris Spanish Edition: Jael Wells Cuellar Portuguese Edition: Carlos Muniz Dutch Edition: Hubert Paulleta

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English: richard@elofer.com Russian: sashok_l@mail.ru French: sabinebaris@gmail.com Spanish: jael_wells@hotmail.com Portuguese: cdmuniz@gmail.com Dutch: hpauletta@hotmail.com

Credit photos: Richard Elofer, Alexandra Obrevko, Jael Wells Cuellar Hubert Paulleta, Laurent Baris and Advent Digital Media

for more information: contact us at www.jewishadventist.org

Julio Mendez Alexandra Obrevko

who are the Israel Field President and the Secretary Treasurer lead-

2016 ‫ ספטמבר‬ ‫ אוגוסט‬ ‫יולי‬

ing the work in Sabine Baris

Israel. Let’s pray for their ministry.

‫תפקידה של קהילת המשיח‬ ‫בקהל העמים‬

‫מדריך שיעורי שבת‬

Hubert Paulleta

Emails:

‫מדריך שיעורי שבת‬

‫ ספטמבר‬ ‫ אוגוסט‬ ‫תפקידה של קהילת המשיח בקהל העמים יולי‬

English Edition: Richard-Amram Elofer

Roger Robertsen

‫אדבנטיסטים‬ ‫שומרי שבת‬

This Sabbath School is prepared by the members of the Jewish Adventist ministry in Brazil. I wish we would this kind of contextualized Sabbath School in English, French, Russian and Spanish, but it take long time and a great effort to do it.

Thanks to this team. It can be downloaded from Dropbox using the link http://adv7. in/As

2016

July 3 to 9 for Carlos Muniz

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2 July / 26 Sivan 2016 / 5776

We pray every

WJAFC

Jael Wells Cuellar

Shabbat — Shelach-Lecha

Shabbat Shalom Newsletter

Resources:

‫חטיבת מזרח מרכז אפריקה‬

‫אריתריאה‬

‫סודן‬

‫הרפובליקה‬ ‫המרכז‬ ‫אפריקאית‬

‫קמרון‬ ‫גיבון‬

‫תימן‬

‫אדיס אבבה‬

‫ניגריה‬

‫גיניאה‬ ‫המשוונית‬

‫אסמרה‬

‫דרום‬ ‫סודן‬

‫אתיופיה‬

‫אוגנדה‬

‫קונגו‬

‫קנייה‬

‫הרפובליקה‬ ‫קמפלה‬ ‫הדמוקרטית‬ ‫רואנדה של קונגו‬

‫אנגולה‬

‫מוגדישו‬

‫ניירובי‬

‫בורונדי‬

‫קינשאסה‬

‫ג'יבוטי‬ ‫סומליה‬

‫האי פמבה‬ ‫זנזיבר‬ ‫סלאם‬-‫דאר א‬

‫טנזניה‬ ‫מוזמביק‬

‫זמביה‬

‫מדגסקר‬

‫מלאווי‬

‫זימבבואה‬

‫נמיביה‬

‫בוטצואנה‬ ‫סווזילנד‬ ‫לסוטו‬

‫דרום אפריקה‬

‫האוקיינוס האטלנטי‬ :‫התרומה בשבת שלושה עשר ברבעון זה תעזור‬ ‫ כמו גם קפטריה עבור בית הספר‬,‫ בניית מעונות‬ ‫לרפואה של חטיבת אפריקה המזרחית והמרכזית‬ .‫ רואנדה‬,‫קיגאלי‬ .‫ דרום סודן‬,‫ להרחבת המרכז הרוחני לילדים בג’ובה‬

‫סווזילנד‬

‫אוכלוסייה‬

10 483 000 37 233 236 10 020 314 16 782 764 40 750 224 11 080 000 28 525 434 20 396 462 38 845 000 96 819 000 22 231 566 18 275 000 351 442 000

‫האוקיינוס ההודי‬

‫מספר‬ ‫מס’ קהילות קבוצות חברי קהילה‬ 109 138 459 426 70 312 364 759 293 987 645 048 359 059 160 606 286 180 162 588 111 592 24 618 3 046 313

414 2049 401 1815 629 560 1347 583 1974 368 878 180 11198

377 2674 242 2371 643 1713 1840 1031 927 901 642 62 13 423

‫מרחב בישור‬ ‫בורונדי‬ ‫מזרח סיני‬ ‫מזרח קונגו‬ ‫מערב קניה‬ ‫מערב קונגו‬ ‫ברואנדה‬ ‫טנזני‬-‫צפון‬ ‫צפוני‬ ‫אוגנדה‬ ‫אתיופיה‬ ‫דרום טנזניה‬ ‫שטח מאובטח‬ ‫סה’כ‬

Parasha Overview

Parasha for this Week

Shelach-lecha

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t the insistence of Bnei Yisrael, and with G-d’s permission, Moshe sends 12 scouts, one from each tribe, to investigate Canaan.

Anticipating trouble, Moshe changes Hoshea’s name to Yehoshua, expressing a prayer that G-d not let him fail in his mission. They return 40 days later, carrying unusually large fruit.

When 10 of the 12 state that the people in Canaan are as formidable as the fruit, the men are discouraged.

Calev and Yehoshua, the only two scouts still in favor of the invasion, try to bolster the people’s spirit. The nation, however, decides that the Land is not worth the potentially fatal risks, and instead demands a return to Egypt. Moshe’s fervent prayers save the nation from Heavenly annihilation.

However, G-d declares that they must remain in the desert for 40 years until the men who wept at the scouts’ false report pass away.

A remorseful group rashly begins an invasion of the Land based on G-d’s original command.

“And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.” (Numbers 13:27)

Shelach-lecha

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Numbers 13:1 - 15:41

Shelach-Lecha

T

he title of our parasha is very similar to the title of the parasha Lech-Lecha, (Gen 12:1) (go to yourself) in which G-d sent Abraham from his homeland to Canaan.

This translation “Send for yourself” is not the translation of most Christian translations.

These words express really that this wish to send spies to explore the country of Canaan did not come from God but from the people of Israel who did not trust God about the country of milk and honey. It is also what Moses says when he recalls the story to the people of Israel, “You came near to me everyone of you, and said, Let us send men before us, that they may search the land for us, and bring us word again of the way by which we must go up, and the cities to which we shall come.” (Deut. 1:22) Rashi comments: “For yourself, meaning according to your own counsel. I (G-d) am not commanding you to do so. If you want, you can send them.” G-d acquiesces to the Jewish People’s request to send spies but not enthusiastically: “I had told them that the Land of Israel was good

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(but they do not trust Me).”

(Rashi 13:2). Rabbi Baruch Leff says, “G-d deals with us where we are at, not where He is.

Did G-d want his people to send the spies? Certainly, not.

Did the Israel make a fatal mistake in descending to the level of having to send them?

Definitely, yes.

But God reacted to Israel’s mistake, not with abandonment and disdain, but with a new task and mission for them.

They now had to face the danger and the challenge of the spies’ report and how they would deal with it.” They unfortunately failed this test as well.

Lashon Hara

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he Torah states: “And the Almighty spoke to Moshe, saying: Send for yourself men, that they may spy out the Land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Children of Israel; one man, one man of every tribe of their fathers you shall send, every one a prince among them” (Numbers 13:1-2).

Since we know that the Torah is not written in chronological order. We can ask a question about the meaning of the juxtaposition of this section to the previous section?

Rashi cites the Midrash Tanchuma to answer this question:

the juxtaposition of sending the spies to the land of Canaan to the section of Miriam’s speaking lashon hara (derogatory speech, evil speech, gossip, slander) about Moshe. Even though Miriam was publicly punished for speaking against her brother, these wicked spies who witnessed her punishment did not learn a lesson.

Rabbi Packouz asks another question: How could the spies be expected to learn from Miriam’s lashon hara? Miriam spoke against a person, while they spoke against a land. Rabbi Yisrael Ordman, of Telshe Yeshiva in Lithuania, comments that one must acquire the attribute of always seeing the good in everything. A person who finds fault with things (meals, accommodations, etc.) will also find fault with people. Conversely, a person who always seeks to find the good in all phenomena will also see the good in his fellow man. That is the lesson the spies should have learned: to notice virtues rather than seek out faults.

As a pious man once noted, “We were given two eyes—one very powerful for introspection, so we should find our smallest faults; the other very weak, for viewing others. Only too often we switch their functions.”

The Talmud (Arachin 15a) teaches us the lesson that we learn

the severity of speaking lashon hara from the punishment of the spies who were sent to explore the land of Canaan. If those who spoke against wood and stones received harsh retribution, how much more severe a punishment is deserved by someone who slanders his fellow human being?

The Anakim or Giants

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he ten spies reported back to Israel, “The people who dwell in the land are extremely fierce and the cities are fortified and very great. We also saw the children of Anak (giants) there. We cannot go up to the people because they are stronger than us.”

(Numbers 13:30-33) Who were the giants calls “sons of Anak”? according to Rabbi Hirsch “there were still remnants of the antediluvian (Nefilim) living in Eretz Israel.” According to an old tradition Israel was spared from the flood. The sons of Anak were men of great stature who were still living in the Promise Land.

Another author, affirms also that the antediluvians where giants. She said “In the days of Noah … the earth was still beautiful. The hills were

crowned with majestic trees; the plains were sweet with the fragrance of a thousand flowers… The human race yet retained much its early vigor.

There were many giants renowned for wisdom, skillful in devising the most cunning and wonderful works, but giving loose rein to iniquity. (EP51).

The spies were sent to explore the land and bring back the report. What was their mistake?

The report of the spies was appropriate. They observed and they related what they saw. Their mistake was drawing a conclusion and rendering the decision that they should not attempt to enter the Land.

They did not take into account that the Almighty has the power to help against all odds.

Rabbi Zelig Pliskin says that “We often see situations and come to erroneous conclusions. We must be very careful because often times there are factors that we are unaware of or don’t take into consideration. It is incumbent upon us to judge people favorably... unless we’re very sure.”

Be Humble

S

omeone who lived in Israel once came to Rabbi Moshe of Lelov and

was extremely critical of the land. Rabbi Moshe censured him and said, “The Torah tells us that ‘the Land is very, very good’ (Numbers 14:7). When does someone find the good of the land? When he fulfills the teaching found in Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 4:4 which teaches, “Be very, very humble.” When someone has the trait of arrogance, he will not be satisfied with the land.

Rabbi Packouz says that “An arrogant person demands that everything should be exactly as he wishes. He lacks patience and this causes him much frustration and suffering. A person with humility finds it easy to accept things not being the way he would have wished them to be. He focuses on the positive in each situation and circumstance.”

Moses’ Great Love

W

hen the spies convinced the people that they will not be able to conquer the promised land, the Jewish people rebelled against Moshe. G-d wanted to kill them immediately and start a new people from Moshe, “And the LORD said to Moses, ‘How long will this people despise me?

And how long will they not be-

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Moshe warns them not to proceed, but they ignore this and are massacred by the Amalekites and Canaanites.

G-d instructs Moshe concerning the offerings to be made when Bnei Yisrael will finally enter the Land.

The people are commanded to remove challa, a gift for the kohanim, from their dough. The laws for an offering after an inadvertent sin, for an individual or a group, are explained.

However, should someone blaspheme against G-d and be unrepentant, he will be cut off spiritually from his people.

One man is found gathering wood on public property in violation of the laws of Shabbat and he is executed.

The laws of tzitzit are taught. We recite the section about the tzitzit twice a day to remind ourselves of the Exodus.

Haftara Overview Joshua 2

“And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothesand said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.”

(Numbers 14:6–7)

I

n the text of the parasha the L-rd commanded Moses to send spies to the Land of Canaan: “And the L-rd spoke to Moshe, saying, ‘Send to you men that they may spy the land of Canaan which I give to the children of Israel...” Moshe chose twelve men — one from each tribe (Num. 13:2-3).

Haftara: In our haftara it is Joshua who send spies to the Land of Canaan. “Then Joshua bin Nun sent two men secretly from Shittim as spies, saying, “Go, view the land, especially Jericho.” (Joshua 2:1).

Thirty eight years before the people of Israel were not ready to trust the L-rd, but now they are. They want to leave the wilderness and to taste this land of honey and milk.

The Canaanites heard what the L-rd has done for Israel since they left the land of Egypt. They are afraid of them. Some of the Canaanites have gotten faith in the G-d of Israel and are ready to help them. It is the case of Rahab the prostitute of Jericho. “So they went, and entered the house of a prostitute whose name was Rahab, and spent the night there.” (Joshua 2:1). Rahab said to the

lieve in me, in spite of all the signs that I have done among them? I will strike them with the pestilence and disinherit them, and I will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.’” (Numbers 14:11–12). It was only through Moshe’s efforts and prayers that G-d forgave the people and they lived another forty years in the desert, “And now, please let the power of the Lord be great as you have promised, saying, ‘The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.””

(Numbers 14:17–19).

Tsitsit or Tassels

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he Torah states “You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the L-rd.” (Num 15:39). The Torah stipulates that the Tsitsit (the Hebrew word for fringes or tassels) should serve as a reminder of our obligation to perform all of the mitsvot. Rav Shen-

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ker reminds us that in ancient times, a jacket was a four-cornered piece of cloth. G-d commanded Jewish men to put a fringe on each corner. These fringes would remind them while they were doing all the things they did, that they must do them according to G-d’s commandments. Eventually, styles changed and jackets no longer have 4 corners. However, Jews realize that the idea of always wearing a reminder that they are Jewish, and that they have responsibilities, is still as important as ever. Therefore, the custom is to wear a special four-cornered garment, either under their shirts (Talit Katan) and/or as a normal size Talit under or above their jackets, with the four fringes on them.

Jews perform this mitzvah by wearing the Tallit (prayer shawl), a four cornered garment, during prayer. Many wear a Tallit Katan (small Tallit) all day so they can have the mitzvah all the time The numerical value of the Hebrew word Tzitzit (90+10+90+10+400) is 600. Each Tzitzah (singular) has 8 strings and 5 knots. These numbers add up to 613 which is the total amount of mitzvot. By looking at the Tzitzit, we remember to perform all the mitzvot.

Tzitizit are the fringes which hang on the four corners of the Tallit (prayer shawl). The Torah

tells us that each fringe should have one string colored blue. The blue dye was extracted from a special fish-worm called Chilazon. The identity of that particular fish-worm has been lost and as a result all eight strings are white.

Some people today wear Tzitzit with a blue string in it. However, most rabbis do not accept it.

The number of times that the longer Tzitzah is wound around the other strings totals 39 (7+8+11+13=39).

This number is the same numerical value as the two Hebrew words of the Shema Adonaï Echad (G-d is One). Thus, the mitzvah of Tzitzit reminds us of the unity and omnipresence of G-d and of His mitzvot.

Jewish love and appreciation for this mitzvah is best expressed in the fact that when reciting the Shema in their daily morning prayer they kiss the Tzitzit numerous times.

The Tallit accompanies a Jew even after death when every Jewish man is buried in a Tallit.

You have certainly noticed that many Jews keep their Tzitzit on the outside? The reason is to make sure that the Tzitzit are always visible, for the Torah states, “so that you may look upon it and remember all the commandments of the L-rd”. By exposing the Tzitzit, one can “look upon it” and thus “remember” all the mitzvot.

Apostolic Writings — Matthew 10:1-5

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he parasha Shelach Lecha and the story of the twelve spies exploring the country of Canaan reminds me the story written in the Apostolic Writings; Yeshua sending his twelve talmidim to explore the country of Israel.

The Besorat-Yeshua states: “And he called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction. The names of the twelve apostles are these: first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

These twelve Jesus sent out, instructing them, “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” (Matthew 10:1–6).

There are some parallels between the text of Numbers 13 and Matthew 10.

1. In both stories we have a leader: Moses in Numbers 13 and Yeshua in Matthew 10.

2. In both stories we have twelve new leaders “Shammua, Shaphat, Caleb, Igal, Hoshea, Palti, Gaddiel, Gaddi, Ammiel, Sethur, Nahbi, Geuel” (Numbers 13) and twelve new leaders

“Simon, Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James, and Thaddaeus, Simon, and Judas Iscariot” (Matthew 10).

3. In both stories one of the twelve has his name changed: in Numbers it is Hoshea who is called Joshua and in Matthew it is Simon who is called Peter.

4. In both stories these two individuals are becoming the first leader of G-d’s people, Joshua will be the successor of Moses and Peter will be the leaders of the disciples (his name is always listed first).

5. In both stories the leader (Moses and Yeshua) sends the twelve with instructions.

6. It seems that in both stories, the kingdom was delayed: in Numbers 13, G-d will postpone the conquest of Canaan because of the negative report of the twelve; in Matthew Yeshua affirms ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’

(Matthew 10:7) Two thousand years after, we are still waiting for the kingdom of heaven.

But there are differences between the two stories 1. In the text of Numbers, Moses sent the twelve to Gentiles territories Canaan, but in the text of Matthew Yeshua sent the twelve to the Jewish people “Go nowhere among the Gentiles and enter no town of the Samaritans,but go rather to the lost sheep of the house

of Israel.” (Matthew 10:5-6).

2. In the text of Numbers, the majority of the twelve gave a negative report two gave a positive report (Joshua and Caleb), but in Matthew the majority of the twelve gage a positive report and only one was mentioned with a negative statement (Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him) 3. In the text of Numbers, the exploration was about the conquest of the cities of Canaan, implying to kill their inhabitants. In the text of Matthew it is the opposite, the twelve were sent not to kill but to “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons” (Matthew 10:8).

4. Because of the negative report and the rebellion of Israel, the conquest of the promised land was postpone and the people of Israel will stay 40 years in the wilderness. However after the 40 years the conquest will succeed under the leadership of Joshua. There is also a number of 40 years after the story related in the Besorat-Yeshua, 40 years after this story the city of Jerusalem will be destroyed and God’s people is not centered anymore in Israel but all over the world.

What lesson can we draw from these parallels and oppositions. It is crucial for G-d’s people and each one of us to stay faithful to G-d and as the Baal Shem Tov says to keep in our heart a true faith in G-d.

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spies that she knows what the L-rd has done for them, “I know that the LORD has given you the land, and that dread of you has fallen on us, and that all the inhabitants of the land melt in fear before you.

For we have heard how the LORD dried up the water of the Red Sea before you when you came out of Egypt, and what you did to the two kings of the Amorites that were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon and Og, whom you utterly destroyed. (Joshua. 2:910). She asks them to remember her and her family when they will come back. “Now then, since I have dealt kindly with you, swear to me by the L-RD that you in turn will deal kindly with my family. Give me a sign of good faith that you will spare my father and mother, my brothers and sisters, and all who belong to them, and deliver our lives from death.” (Josh. 2:12-13) Rahab become an example of faith “By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.” (Heb. 11:31). She deserved to become one of the ancestors of King David and the Mashiach, Son of David. (Matt. 1:5)

Stories and Traditions

Inspirational Corner v Caleb and

Joshua were the only ones among the spies who had brought a good report of the Land of Promise, encouraging the people to go up and possess it in the name of the Lord. Caleb now reminded Joshua of the promise then made, as the reward of his faithfulness: “The land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children’s forever, because thou hast wholly followed the Lord.” He therefore presented a request that Hebron be given him for a possession.

Here had been the home of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and here, in the cave of Machpelah, they were buried. (EP 364)

Tzitzit and Mitzvot

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wealthy diamond merchant once went to the fair far from his home, to purchase diamonds. He would then bring them back to his city and make a handsome profit.

After making his purchases and preparing to make the trip back to his city, someone approached him and said, “I have some wonderful diamonds which I must sell immediately. I am willing to sell it for a fraction of their cost if you pay for them in cash right now.” After examining the merchandise, he realized that this was indeed a great deal. But he had already spent all the money.

All he had left was to cover the expenses for the way home, but he felt that he couldn’t pass up a deal like this.

“Instead of staying in luxury hotels and eating good meals, I will buy these diamonds and make do with very little on the way,” he thought to himself.

He bought the diamonds and traveled back to his home like a poor beggar. He slept on the floor in run down hotels and ate lousy meals together with other poor travelers.

One of his friends met him entering one of the dingy hotels.

“Why do you suffer in such conditions, when you can afford good accommodations and delicious foods?” asked the friend.

He told his friend how he spent all his money to purchase the diamonds from which he stands to make an enormous profit.

“But knowing the life style

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which you are used to, I don’t understand how you can tolerate to live in such terrible accommodations and eat such cheap food,” asked the friend.

“You are right. Many times during this trip, I thought that I could not go on like this any more,” replied the diamond merchant. “Every time I felt like this, I would look at the diamonds which I bought and realizing the potential profit awaiting me, I would become very happy!”

The same is with the mitzvah of Tzitzit. G-d gave us this mitzvah as a daily reminder of “all” the mitzvot. Thus, like the diamond merchant, by looking at the Tzitzit, we remember all the mitzvot and the great benefit and reward we stand to receive for observing them. This makes it easier for us to overcome all hardships and obstacles and perform the mitzvot to their fullest.

What Is The Answer?

I

n traditional Torah societies one looks for a son-in-law who excels in learning Torah. The story is told of well-todo Jewish farmer in Poland who was looking for an appropriate match for his daughter. Being a Talmud Chacham, a learned individual, he arranged to give a lecture at the local yeshiva with the proviso that whoever could solve the Talmudic problem he presented would be considered for his son-in-law.

He presented a brilliant presentation which dazzled the students.

However, since none of the young men could find a solution, he got

onto his wagon and started to head to the next yeshiva in a nearby town. Glancing back after he had driven for a few minutes, he saw one of the yeshiva lads running with all his might to catch the wagon. Stopping the wagon, he waited for the young man to catch up and to catch his breath.

“So,” says the farmer, “You have an answer to my kasha (question)?”

“No,” replies the young man, “but I have to know. What is the answer.”

“Ah,” smiles the farmer, “a young man like you is someone I want to consider for a son-in-law!”

Kids Parasha Shelach-lecha

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No Time For The Commandments

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Chassid once complained to his Rebbe that, due to his widespread business activities, he had very little time to perform the Commandments of G-d.

The Rebbe replied, “The Mishna says that G-d wanted to merit the Jewish people so He gave them mitzvot (Commandments) in abundance. When one builds a house, there are mitzvot associated with it. When a person works in the fields or in business, there are many mitzvot to perform there too. G-d spread out His mitzvot in every area so we can connect with Him each day of our lives no matter what our occupation is.”

When we do a mitzvah, performing our mission in this world, it is important to feel proud and positive about what we are doing.

Numbers 13:1 - 15:41

“Moses sent them to spy out the land of Canaan and said to them, “Go up into the Negeb and go up into the hill country, and see what the land is, and whether the people who dwell in it are strong or weak, whether they are few or many, and whether the land that they dwell in is good or bad, and whether the cities that they dwell in are camps or strongholds, and whether the land is rich or poor, and whether there are trees in it or not. Be of good courage and bring some of the fruit of the land.” Now the time was the season of the first ripe grapes.” (Numbers 13:17–20) http://www.bnai-tikkun.org.nz 7

Inspirational Corner v From the beginning, G-d has been working by His Ruach Hakodesh (Holy Spirit) through human instrumentalities. In the days of the apostles He worked mightily for His kehilah through the Ruach Hakodesh.

The same power that sustained the patriarchs, that gave Caleb and Joshua faith and courage, and that made the work of the apostolic kehilah effective has upheld God’s faithful children in every succeeding age. (TT 29)