eblasts

• Avrum's Shiur 
  
  ​​​​​​​
• ​​​​​​​Divas on the Bima 
  June 19th @ 7:30pm

Avrum Rosensweig, founder of the Jewish humanitarian organization Ve’ahavta, is a human rights activist, and passionate advocate for the Jewish people. A frequent guest speaker at our Congregation, he was Habonim's Associate Religious Leader from 2005-2014.

A Note from Avrum

 I hope you're doing well. I will not be giving a shiur (class) tonight because I'll be attending a family simcha (celebration).
 
Please note that this week's parsha is: PARSHAT SHELACH and deals predominantly with 12 spies sent to see and report to Moshe on Canaan (Israel).  There is much to learn about the spies, their mission and their report.
 
 Consider:
 1. 10 of the 12 spies saw Canaan in a negative light - a dangerous place where the Jewish people would be squashed by the "giants' there. How is it the spies did not draw upon their recent memories of God protecting the Jewish people, like the 'going out of Egypt', the splitting of the sea, and the supply of water and manna that came on a daily basis?  Where was their reliance on God, knowing He performed miracles for them? What were they scared of?
 
2. The Lubavitcher Rebbe stated that the spies wanted to stay in the desert, because they felt they would be closer to God not having to spend time creating a community. In fact, the Rebbe says, the spies were afraid of success, not failure.  Your thoughts on this?
 
3. Have you ever wondered what it must have been like for Moshe to send the spies? After all, they were going to a place he'd never set foot in. How sad he must have been knowing this (there is a sense Moshe knew all the Torah, which meant he knew he'd not be allowed into Israel).  What might this time in his leadership been like? How would you feel if your goal was to bring your community to a particular destination, but not be allowed to go with them?
 
Learn the parsha. Your insight as a Jew can grow through your weekly learning of it. I have developed greater pride in my Jewishness, understanding more about our teachings since I increased my weekly learning. My journey as a Jew is a powerful one and quite riveting.
 
We'll learn again next week. I look forward to seeing you.
 
L'shalom, In peace
Avrum