Parashah Roundup: Shelach 5770

by Steve Brizel

The Sin of the Spies

Rav Soloveitchik ZL explores the connection between the sin of Miriam and the report of the spies: link (audio)

R Mosheh Lichtenstein , R Yaakov Meidan, and R Michael Rosensweig examine who were the spies, their mission, and the reaction of Yehoshua and Kalev and why the Mitzvos of Nesachim, Challah and Sieri Avodah Zarah are revealed in the aftermath of the report of the spies: link 1, link 2, link 3, link 4, link 5 (audio)

R Yissocher Frand explains why Yehoshua and Kalev were not influenced by the report of the spies: link

R Yitzchak Etshalom, based in part on an essay by R Yaakov Meidan, examines the consequences of the sin of the spies: link

The Nesivos Shalom suggests where the spies erred in their evaluation of the Land of Israel: link

R Shlomoh Riskin evaluates the decision making process that motivated Moshe Rabbeinu to send the spies on their mission: link

R Asher Brander explores how Moshe Rabbbeinu was able to change a Divine Decree in the wake of the sins of the Golden Calf and the report of the spies: link

R Avigdor Nevenzal discusses the long term historical effects and reverberations of the report of the spies: link

R Ephraim Buchwald examines why the report of the spies was a graver transgression than the sin of the Golden Calf: link

R Baruch Simon explains why the letter “Yud” was added to Yehoshua: link (audio)

R Dovid Gottlieb examines whether there is a religious litmus test to count in a minyan and the transgression of the woodchoppers: link 1 (audio), link 2 (audio)

The Mitzvah and Halacos of Challah

R Hershel Schachter and R Joshua Flug explore the halachos of Hafrashas Challah: link 1 (audio), link 2, link 3

The Halachos of Lashon Harah

R Daniel Z. Feldman discusses the Halachos of Lashon Harah: link (audio)

The Mitzvah of Tzitzis

R Asher Weiss discusses the Halachic aspects of the Mitzvah of Tzitzis: link (audio)

R Berel Wein explores the relationship between the Mitzvah of Tzitis and a faithful adherence to the Mitzvos: link

Chief Rabbi Sir Jonathan Sacks examines the hashkafic differences between the Talis Katan and the Talis Gadol: link

R Dovid Gottlieb discusses the halachic issues involved in machine made Tzitzis: link (audio)

R Avraham Gordimer explains why the Mitzvah of Tzitzis represents a new approach to emunah that is exemplified by education, as opposed to the experience of miracles: link

Jewish History Department

R Dr Shnayer Leiman examines the failed attempt to bring Torah and Derech Eretz to the Land of Israel , a “ban” on secular study in Jerusalem and the reaction of R Dovid Karliner ZL: link 1 (audio), link 2 (PDF)