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Shelach-----Send Thou
Numbers
13:1-15:41
Joshua
2:1-24
Hebrews
3:7-19
Here
we read about the history of how Moshe sends forth the twelve spies into
the Promised Land. Ten come back with a bad report. They state that the
land is full of giants, and people who are more powerful then the children
of Israel. Only Joshua and Caleb remain faithful and declare that the land
can be conquered.
The
people then complain and weep before Moshe and begin to murmur against
him, wanting to go back to Egypt. Because of this, G-d declares that the
generation who came out of Egypt would not see the Promised Land.
They
are remorseful and rush against the instruction of Moshe and G-d by going
to war against the Amalekites and the Canaanites. They are routed, and
retreat.
Then
the ordinances of the offerings of the meal, wine and oil are given.
We are
told of the man who was brought before Moshe and G-d when he was seen
gathering sticks on the Sabbath, and was sentenced to death by stoning for
his blatant disrespect.
Finally is the commandment of the tzitzit (the fringes/hem of the four
corners of our garments).
G-d
assures the new generation that they will enter the Promised Land. As part
of their entering in, G-d tells the people that they are to make for
themselves tzitzit, or tassels (fringes). These were to remind them of
G-d's covenant, and that when they see them they would be reminded to obey
G-d and His commandments. Colossians 3:1 tells us to "seek those things
which are above."
In the
days of second temple period during the time when Messiah walked on the
earth, Jewish men wore a tunic, most were simple. The tunic was a large
rectangular cloth, covering from shoulder to ankle. This was called a
Tallit and served as protection from the elements as well as their prayer
closet. Hanging from the end of each corner was the tzitzit in obedience
to the commandment of G-d.
1
Corinthians 10:12 tells us that we must be careful not to fall like the
people in the wilderness did. The Tzitzit not only is a commandment to be
obeyed for the sake of wearing the tzitzit, but it served as statement of
accountability to G-d and to each other. Everyone would see that you are
a G-d fearer. We are all accountable whether we know it or not. People are
watching us. Thus accountability keeps us from falling spiritually,
morally, and in the end physically.
Hebrews 2:1 tells us, "We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to
what we have heard, so that we do not drift away." Drifting away from G-d
and His commandments resulted in punishment in the past, as we have read,
when the people of G-d failed to trust and obey.
Wearing the tzitzit reminds us and others that we are to trust and obey
G-d. It is not the tzitzit that brings blessings or curses but because of
the love and obedience of G-d that we are blessed. It should show that we
have the relationship that He, G-d wants. For that is the crux of the
matter; to love G-d with all our hearts and love our neighbor as
ourselves.
Shavua
Tov
Rabbi
Z.
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