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This week, Modya and David discuss parshat Shelakh (also known as Shelakh Lekha) in the Book of Numbers, using the lens of the attribute of Shtikah, or Silence. In the Mussar tradition, silence refers to the deliberative pause taken before speaking, to make sure that what is said is truthful and beneficial to self and others. This Torah portion includes the fateful incident of the report of the spies who scout out the land and bring a pessimistic report. The hosts consider the ramifications and consequences of speech that is truthful but not beneficial, and they discuss how to build a practice of using speech sparingly and wisely. We hope you enjoy!
Modya Silver is an author and psychotherapist based in Toronto. David Gottlieb is a faculty member in the Jewish Studies program at Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership in Chicago.