Parashat Shelach Lecha (Numbers 13:1-15:41)

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

A weekly Torah exploration for families by Michael S. Raileanu, M.A.Ed.

This week's parasha, Shelach-Lecha, Numbers 13:1 - 15:41, is probably best known for the story of the spies. However, it also includes some more laws of the sacrifices that the people will do when they finally possess the land and it ends with the paragraph about tsitsit (the fringes on the corners of our garments) that will eventually become the final paragraph of the Shema.

How many spies were sent into the land? How many came back with positive reports? How many with negative reports? In this case, what exactly is a positive report?
When you tell someone something, do you have to always tell them good news? What is more important, to report only good things or to tell the complete truth? Do those two things have to be different?
Were the spies who were afraid telling the truth? Why were the Israelites punished for believeing them? What was their punishment? How did God decide how long to make them wander in the desert? Do you think that the punishment was fair?
What color are most tsitsit these days? What color are they supposed to be? Why is there a difference?
Some people believe that they have once again found the secret to making techeylet (the special color from this week's parasha). No one is 100% certain whether or not they are right. Should we wear this tacheylet on our tallitot even if we are not sure it is the right color? Why or why not? Is there anything wrong in your opinion in wearing it even if someday we find out it is wrong? Is there more benefit in wearing it or not wearing it?