Image courtesy of redemptionbiblechurch.org
Israelites frightened by the spies' report on the strength of the Canaanites whose
land they were planning to enter.
From Rabbi David Goodman
Happy summer 2024, everyone. I hope that you are weathering the heat and finding opportunities to get out and about.
I write from Jemez Springs, New Mexico, where my family is gathering for a memorial to my late mother’s sister. Patricia Murphy (she’s on the Christian side of my family) died Feb. 13 at age 93. As was her wish, we plan to hike tomorrow to Battleship Rock in the Santa Fe National Forest to scatter her ashes.
Another climb is at the center of this week’s Torah portion, Sh’lach (Numbers 13-15). It starts with God directing Moses to send 12 spies – one from each tribe – to go up to the land of Canaan and scope it out in preparation for the Israelites’ entry. But rather than smoothing the way for the conquest of the Promised Land, the scouting mission goes badly wrong. Ten of the 12 spies bring back terrifying impressions of the power
and strength of the Canaanites. The Israelites, fresh from their Golden Calf misadventure, turn on Moses and Aaron and threaten to return to Egypt.
As punishment, God extends the people’s wanderings in the wilderness for 40 years. We’ll read from this story and talk about the challenges of freedom and leadership at our first service of the summer – 9:30am-noon Saturday (29 June) at Prince of Peace church. There is a potluck lunch afterward. I hope you can make it.
Prince of Peace is putting up its big top tent again this summer, and we look forward
to holding a Friday night service and meal under it July 12, 6-9pm. We will be back at Prince of Peace for a Saturday morning service and meal on July 20 (9:30am-noon).
Our next Torah study will be 7-8pm Tuesday, July 2, moved from that Thursday, which is the Fourth of July holiday. Please join in on Zoom: bit.ly/NafTorah.
