parsha bit: Sh'lach L'cha

[cellio]

This week's parsha tells of the spies who were sent to scout out the land of Israel and the bad report ten of them made. Rabbinic tradition teaches that this occurred on Tisha b'Av, the same date that the temple would later be destroyed. According to the talmud this is not a coincidence. Rabbah taught in the name of Rabbi Yochanan: when the people lifted up their voices and wept at the news, the Holy One Blessed Be He said: they are weeping for nothing (for the report is not true), but I will fix this day for them as an occasion of weeping for all generations. (Sotah 35a)

(Is this the earliest citation for the parental "I'll give you something to cry about!" admonishment? :-) )

Comments

[cellio]

Thanks for telling me!