11 Jun 2026 Shelach 5786: Bread of Faith

Toward the end of Parshas Shelach, following the episode of the spies, the Torah introduces the mitzvah of hafrashas challah (Bamidbar 15:17-21). Hashem commands: וַיְדַבֵּר ה’ אֶל מֹשֶׁה לֵּאמֹר, דַּבֵּר אֶל בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל וְאָמַרְתָּ אֲלֵהֶם בְּבֹאֲכֶם אֶל הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר אֲנִי מֵבִיא אֶתְכֶם שָׁמָּה… רֵאשִׁית עֲרִסֹתֵכֶם חַלָּה תָּרִימוּ תְרוּמָה – Speak to the Children of Israel and say to them: When you come into the Land to which I am bringing you… from the first of your dough you shall set aside challah as a gift.

Rashi, commenting on the words “בְּבֹאֲכֶם אֶל הָאָרֶץ – when you come into the Land,” notes that the Torah specifically connects this mitzvah to entry into Eretz Yisrael. Unlike other mitzvos ha’teluyos ba’aretz that became effective once the nation conquered and settled the land, challah would become an obligation as soon as the nation entered the Land.

What do we learn from the command of challah, which is chosen as one of the first mitzvos associated with settling Eretz Yisrael?

Perhaps the answer lies in the symbolism of bread itself.

Bread represents the most basic staple of human existence. It is the food that sustains life. Yet the Torah teaches that even before a person partakes of his bread, he must first separate a portion for Hashem (this was done by giving the separated piece of challah to a kohen). The message is clear: our sustenance is not solely the product of our labor, effort, or success. It is ultimately a gift from Hashem.

This idea is expressed beautifully elsewhere in the Torah. At the end of his life, Moshe reminds the Bnei Yisrael: וַיְעַנְּךָ וַיַּרְעִבֶךָ וַיַּאֲכִלְךָ אֶת הַמָּן… לְמַעַן הוֹדִיעֲךָ כִּי לֹא עַל הַלֶּחֶם לְבַדּוֹ יִחְיֶה הָאָדָם כִּי עַל כָּל מוֹצָא פִי ה’ יִחְיֶה הָאָדָם – He afflicted you and caused you to hunger, and He fed you the manna… in order to make known to you that man does not live by bread alone, but by all that emanates from the mouth of Hashem does man live (Devarim 8:3).

The lesson of the manna was that physical sustenance is never merely physical. Bread nourishes the body, but its ability to sustain life comes from Hashem.

Furthermore, the Torah commands: וְאָֽכַלְתָּ֖ וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ וּבֵֽרַכְתָּ֙ אֶת ה’ אֱלֹקיךָ עַל־הָאָ֥רֶץ הַטֹּבָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָֽתַן־לָֽךְ – You shall eat, be satisfied, and bless Hashem your G-d for the good land that He has given you (Devarim 8:10).

When a person is hungry, it is easy to turn to Hashem. The greater challenge comes after one has eaten and is satisfied. Success and abundance can create the illusion of self-sufficiency. Therefore, once we have eaten and are satiated, the Torah commands us to acknowledge the true Source of our blessings.

Perhaps this is the deeper connection between challah and entry into Eretz Yisrael.

In the wilderness, Bnei Yisrael ate manna that descended openly from Heaven. The hand of Hashem was visible each day. In Eretz Yisrael, however, bread would come through plowing, planting, harvesting, grinding and baking. Human effort would play a far greater role. The danger was that a person may begin to believe that his success is entirely his own doing.

Therefore, one of the first mitzvos associated with the Land is challah. Before enjoying the bread that emerges from one’s labor, a portion is set aside for Hashem. This act transforms an ordinary loaf into a reminder that all blessing originates with Him.

There is an additional dimension to the mitzvah of challah as well. The Torah does not require that challah be separated from grain growing in the field, or from individual stalks of wheat. The obligation begins only after the grain has been transformed into dough, when a portion designated for Hashem.

Perhaps this teaches that we are meant to recognize Hashem not only at the beginning of a process, but especially at its completion. We often focus on the finished product and take satisfaction in what we have accomplished. The Torah therefore instructs us that at the very moment we are ready to enjoy the results of our efforts, we must pause and acknowledge the Source.

In this way, challah becomes a powerful expression of gratitude. Just when a person might be tempted to say, “I made this!” the Torah asks him to remember that every stage of the process – the land, the rain, the harvest, the strength to work, and the ability to succeed – is from Hashem.

The mitzvah of challah teaches us humility, in addition to gratitude. It reminds us to recognize the partnership between human effort and Divine blessing. We are obligated to work, to strive, and to utilize the talents Hashem has given us. Yet we must never lose sight of the Source from which all blessing ultimately flows.

Perhaps this is why the mitzvah of challah continues to hold such special significance for us all, even in the absence of the BHM”K and through all the lands of our dispersion. Through a simple act performed in the kitchen, an ordinary loaf of bread becomes an expression of emunah, gratitude, and recognition of Hashem’s presence in our daily lives.

May we merit to appreciate the blessings Hashem bestows upon us each day. May we never take our sustenance for granted, and may we always remember that while bread nourishes the body, it is Hashem Who sustains life.

And in this merit, may Hashem continue to bless Klal Yisrael with abundance, gratitude, spiritual growth, and lasting bracha.

בברכת בשורות טובות ושבת שלום,

Michal