Parshas Shelach (שְׁלַח) The parashah tells the story of the twelve spies sent to assess the promised Land, commandments about offerings, the story of the Sabbath violator, and the commandment of the fringes (צִיצִת, tzitzis).
It comprises 5,820 Hebrew letters, 1,540 Hebrew words, 119 verses, and 198 lines in the Sefer Torah).
Moshe sent one chieftain from Israel's 12 tribes to scout the Land of Canaan. Among them were Calev from the Tribe of Judah and Yehoshua from the Tribe of Ephraim, whose name Moshe changed before the mission.
They assessed the geography, population, agriculture, city structures, and forests, aiming for a positive outlook. The scouts returned from Chebron with large grapes and other produce, reporting a land flowing with milk and honey but inhabited by enormous people.
Despite Caleb's encouragement, most scouts discouraged the Israelites from entering the Land due to its challenges. Yehoshua and Caleiv warned the Israelites against stressing or rebelling against God.
Despite God's initial frustration with the people, Moshe persuaded God to show mercy. God then decreed that only Caleiv and Yehoshua would see the Promised Land. The next day, portions of the Israelites, lacking faith, marched on the Land and suffered defeat.
God instructed offerings for when they entered the Promised Land. God instructed Moshe to convey to the Israelites that when offering a bull for burnt offerings, they should also bring flour mixed with oil and wine. The same rule applies to resident aliens. Regarding consumption, the Israelites were to reserve a portion of bread as a dough offering for God. For unintentional community transgressions, a burnt offering with a meal, wine, and a sin offering was required for atonement. Individual accidental sins call for a she-goat as a sin offering.
An incident of Sabbath violation led to stoning as instructed by God. God told Moshe to teach the Israelites to make for themselves fringes (צִיצִת, tzitzis) on each of the corners of their garments. They were to look at the fringes, recall the commandments, and observe them.