Kol Tikvah

February 7, 2025 ()

The Man Who Collected Wood on Shabbat

A short reflection on Sh’lach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)

In this week’s Torah portion, Sh’lach, there is a disturbing tale about a man who is caught gathering wood on the Sabbath — which is a big no-no according to the Torah.  Back in Exodus, we were taught that anyone who breaks the Sabbath is to be put to death.  

So, what happens?   

The Torah teaches, (Numbers 32:35-36), “… יהוה said to Moses, ‘The party in question shall be put to death: the community leadership shall pelt him with stones outside the camp.’ So the community leadership took him outside the camp and stoned him to death—as יהוה had commanded Moses.”

Yep, this man who was out collecting wood is put to death. Seems like an overreaction. The Torah does not reflect on this story. There were no words from the man, no words from his family, and no words from Moses or any tribal leader. But, immediately following the stoning is the third paragraph of the Shema, the one that speaks of the tzitzit, the fringes that adorn a tallit.  

Adonai said to Moses: “Speak to the Israelite people and instruct them to make for themselves fringes on the corners of their garments throughout the ages…. look at them and recall all the commandments of Adonai and observe them…Thus you shall be reminded to observe all My commandments and to be holy to your God…..”

In other words, looking at the fringes reminds us of our moral, spiritual and religious commitments to ourselves and our community. We look at them and then we act in a way that lifts us to godliness.  So, we have these fringes, and we’re supposed to look upon them to remind us to keep the commandments. They are supposed to be our reminders to do what is right.  

Our Torah speaks of a man who breaks the laws of Shabbat and he’s put to death. Please, don’t take it literally! Immediately following are instructions about the lifeline called tsitsit. This story is a metaphor. It’s a story to teach us about wandering too far astray. When we wander away from what we’re supposed to be doing – the good we should be doing – we cut ourselves off from our community and we die a metaphorical death.

But, if we look at our tzitzit, our lifeline to that which is holy, we are reminded about the actions we should take in order to return to a holy path.  It is our job to look at our tzitzit – or whatever reminds us to do what is right –  so that we do not end up cut off from family, friends, or society. We don’t want to be like that woodcutter, out of step with everyone and everything.    

So, Let us return our focus to performing mitzvot – good deeds – and doing what is right so that we remain a vital part of our community, able to help change the world for the better.

SHLACH SUMMARY FROM THE URJ

  • Moses sends twelve spies to the Land of Israel to report on the inhabitants and the country. Despite the positive report of Joshua and Caleb, the people are frightened. (13:1–14:10)
  • God threatens to wipe out the Children of Israel but relents when Moses intercedes on their behalf. To punish the people, God announces that all those who left Egypt would not enter the Land of Israel except for Joshua and Caleb. (14:11–45)
  • Moses instructs the Israelites regarding setting aside challah, the observance of the Sabbath, how to treat strangers, and the laws of tzitzit. (15:1–41)

For more information on this Torah portion go to: https://reformjudaism.org/torah/portion/shlach-lcha

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