This week's parsha, Sh’lach, recounts a pivotal episode in the Jewish People's journey through the desert. As the Jewish People prepare to enter the Land of Israel, they send twelve eminent leaders to survey the Promised Land, ten of whom return with negative reports. Caleb and Joshua are the only ones who speak well of the land. The Jewish People accept only the bad news and cry and complain hysterically through the night.

G-d threatens to annihilate the Jewish People, at which point Moshe intercedes and pleads successfully that they not be totally eliminated. G-d declares that they still be punished for their sin regarding the slander of the Land of Israel by wandering for forty years in the desert, during which time the entire generation would die before reaching the borders of the Promised Land.

As a sign that the Jews will eventually enter the land after forty years, the Torah details laws that take effect only after the Jews live in the land of Israel, such as Challah, taking off a portion of dough and  giving it to the Kohen (Priest). The Torah portion concludes with the third paragraph of the Shema prayer, containing the mitzvah to wear tzitzit, a fringed garment.