![Intermarriage and the Desert](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/david_hoffman-300x300.jpg)
Intermarriage and the Desert
Jun 16, 2017 By David Hoffman | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
In light of the recent work of colleagues and friends regarding the boundaries of the Jewish people and how that impacts the weddings that should or should not be performed, I cannot but help to read this Shabbat’s parashah in terms of boundaries.
Read More![At the Threshold](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/jtslogo_pms173___high_res_square-300x300.jpg)
At the Threshold
Jul 1, 2016 By The Jewish Theological Seminary | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
In this week’s parashah, the Israelites stand at the boundary of the Land of Israel—with all its potential for religious and national destiny and for physical danger—considering whether or not to enter. During the spring 2016 semester, JTS’s own entrance was the location of an art installation by Silvio Wolf, who uses moving images, still projections, light, and sound to engage the history and symbolism of specific venues.
Read More![The Gift of Hallah](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/greenvald_cropped-300x300.jpg)
The Gift of Hallah
Jul 1, 2016 By Reuven Greenvald | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
If you’re a hallah baker, like I am, you know that all your measuring, kneading, and hours of checking on rising dough are totally worth it when, after the hamotzi at the Shabbat table, your family and friends let out a collective “aaah.” When that fluffy, sweet piece of bread melts in their mouths, they know it’s really shabbes.
Read More![Holding On to Torah](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/treu_abigail_2.jpg)
Holding On to Torah
Jun 18, 2011 By Abigail Treu | Commentary | Text Study | Shelah Lekha
The metaphor is wonderful: the man at sea is Israel, grasping the tzitzit, with God the Captain of the ship stretching out a hand, holding the other end of the lifeline. As with all metaphors, it is not to be taken literally.
Read More![Truth and Mercy](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Matt_Berkowitz_updated_headshot-300x300.jpg)
Truth and Mercy
Jun 25, 2005 By Matthew Berkowitz | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
Being deliberate in speech and generous in mercy stand at the heart of Parashat Sh’lah L’kha. At the opening of our Torah reading, God commands Moses to send leaders from each tribe to spy on the Land of Canaan. The timing seems auspicious. As the Israelites near the liminal moment of entry, it is fitting that God desires representatives to scout the land. Since the Israelites would soon be God’s agents in dispossessing the Canaanites of their territory, they needed to know what to expect. Regrettably though, the spies return from their mission hastily, reporting that “the people that dwells in the land is powerful, the cities are heavily fortified, and giants live there” (Numbers 13:28). Their brutally truthful report triggers hysteria among the Israelite community which demands a return to Egypt.
Read More![Why Was This Time Different?](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/jtslogo_pms173___high_res_square-4-300x300.jpg)
Why Was This Time Different?
Jun 12, 2004 By Lewis Warshauer | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
The Torah’s telling of the Israelites’ journeys in the wilderness is in many ways a story of shortage: shortage of food (at least, desirable food) water – and hope. One commodity was rarely in short supply: fear.
Read More![Vigorous Hands](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/jtslogo_pms173___high_res_square-4-300x300.jpg)
Vigorous Hands
Jun 8, 2002 By Lewis Warshauer | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
A visitor to Jerusalem is likely to notice a structure more in keeping with the green flatlands of the Netherlands than the golden hills of the Holy City. The windmill established by British philanthropist Sir Moses Montefiore was designed to provide sustenance for the Jews of Jerusalem. It sits today in the district called Yemin Moshe, named in honor of Montefiore.
Read More![Standing Up](https://www.jtsa.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/crespy_melissa_2.jpg)
Standing Up
Jun 8, 2002 By Melissa Crespy | Commentary | Shelah Lekha
At an interfaith conference I attended a number of years ago, — a conference which for the most part was filled with respect and openness — a keynote speaker was an evangelical minister. Addressing an audience of some 200 theological students and their teachers and deans, the minister declared, during his speech, that anyone who had not accepted Jesus into his or her life could never be saved. When the question and answer period started, shaking in my shoes and with my voice breaking, I stood up and said to him — in front of 200 other people, mainly Christian — “If that is your belief, then where does that leave the Jews?”
Read More