Parshat Sh'lach
June 19, 2020
27 Sivan 5780

Candle Lighting: 7:41 p.m.
Dear Friends,

In our Parsha this week, Sh'lach , we tell the story of spies who were sent by Moses to scout the land of Israel. Their mission was to report back to the rest of the community what they saw and experienced, to prepare them for entering the land. Ten of the twelve spies came back overwhelmed by the challenges that they foresaw, fearful of the journey that lay ahead. Two of the spies, having gone on the same mission and having experienced the same things, came back inspired by what they saw and the opportunities that it presented. Ultimately, the fear and the panic prevented the Israelites from progressing on their journey. Disturbed by their lack of faith and courage, God punished the Israelites by sentencing them to wander in the dessert for forty years.

I have always struggled with the fact that the two groups of people could have had the same experience, seen the same things, tasted the same foods, but walked away with very different impressions. It is all a matter of perspective.

Like the ten spies, it can be easy to look at all of the challenges that exist in the world around us and be overwhelmed by the prospect of confronting them. But like Joshua and Caleb, it is my hope and prayer that when we look at the world, we see it not only as it is, but with an eye toward its potential for what we desire it to be. These past few weeks have made it very clear that we have a long road ahead of us to reach our own promised land. But together, if we continue to have faith and courage to do what is right and stand up for what we believe in, we can conquer whatever it is that our hearts desire.

Wishing you and your families a happy, healthy and peaceful Shabbat,

Rabbi Josh Dorsch

Friday, June 19th, 6:15 p.m.: Abridged Kabbalat Shabbat Service
Saturday, June 20th, 9:30 a.m.: Abridged Shabbat Service
Sunday, 8:30 a.m. & Monday - Friday 7:15 a.m.: Minyan
Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m.: Daf Yomi
Monday - Thursday 9:30 a.m.: Prayer Reflection