A 100% VirJEWal Synagogue serving the needs of all backgrounds of the Jewish Community of
Central, NJ since 1983
Eli B. Perlman, Rabbi
Congregation Beit Shalom / Monroe Township is a unique Conservative Egalitarian Congregation. The difference between this and other congregations is that we are truly a family. We get together to pray, to learn, to laugh, to sing, to schmooze - and it is 100% VirJEWal. When someone is in need, we help each other in ways that continue to inspire everyone.
Did you ever wonder why it took Moses and the Hebrews 40 years to traverse the Sinai Peninsula? This Torah portion tells us exactly why. After the general unpleasantness of the people in our previous chapters, G-d tells Moses to send spies into Canaan and bring back a report to the people. Perhaps then, the stiff-necked nation will believe that G-d indeed wishes them to enter His Land.
The mission goes awry as ten of the twelve spies - one from each tribe, for the sake of fairness - counsel against entering the fortifications of the land of the seven Canaanite tribes. For this public doubting of G-d’s power, the Jews are condemned to wander one year in the desert for each day of the spies ill-fated journey, a total of forty days and forty years.
During the wanderings, laws such as Challah and Tzitzit are promulgated, possibly to keep the Jews together in spirit, if not in deed. It is made clear by Moses however, that revolt against G-d’s laws would not be tolerated. Mistakes can occur, but purposeful transgression would not go unpunished. As if to underscore this, a certain Sabbath-breaker is stoned for his public crime. His experience is a grim reminder to a rebellious flock.
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