The Israelites are about to prepare for entering Eretz Canaan, which is the Land of Israel. Towards this goal, God speaks to Moshe in this parsha and tells him: Send for yourself men to spy out the land of Canaan. For this very important mission, Moshe chooses 12 spies, one from each of the 12 tribes of Israel. Before they set out he gives them some instructions. Moshe tells them to travel around the country to see what kind of land it is, whether it is ‘fat’ or ‘lean’ and if ‘there are trees there.’ God also tells them to check out the people who live there, whether they are ‘strong or weak,’ ‘few or many.’ He ends with the word וְהִתְחַזַּקְתֶּם, “be courageous!” This week’s Interactive Parsha Experience comes from Susan Yammer.
