THE REBBE'S DISCOURSES
A collection of summaries of a selection of the discourses of the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson, delivered over decades of the Rebbe's leadership.
This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Parshat Shelach, 5726 (1966). When the Spies gave their negative report, Calev silenced the crowd 'to Moses', saying that whatever Moses commanded they would do, even climbing ladders to heaven. The discourse explains this through the Chassidic concepts of Tohu and Tikkun: the Spies represented the intense but uncontrolled light of Chaos, while Calev's complete submission to Moses expressed the stable vessels of Tikkun.
This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Parshat Shelach, 5725 (1965). The Spies described the Land as 'a land which devours its inhabitants', and the Zohar links this to the 'abnegation of the Land'. The discourse explains that in the process of the shattering of the vessels, Malchut alone was not broken because of its quality of nullification, and this same quality of humble receptivity is what the Spies feared and misunderstood.
This discourse was delivered by the Rebbe on Shabbat Parshat Shelach, 5728 (1968). The Sedra introduces the Mitzva of Challah, setting aside the first portion of dough as an offering, and Ezekiel adds that this brings blessing to one's home. The discourse explains that this Mitzva, one of the first to take effect when the Jewish people entered the Land of Israel, expresses the idea that making a dwelling for the Divine transforms the very earth, turning the world back toward its original purpose of being a home for G-d.