VOLUME 116 NUMBER 4
Sivan 24, 5785
June 20, 2025
Parshas Shelach
Candlelighting Time 8:13
The disastrous episode of the spies that were sent to investigate Eretz Yisroel certainly seems to defy explanation. After all, Rashi comments that these twelve individuals were the leaders of their respective tribes. Yet they returned with intended information that would discourage their compatriots from going there. Hashem had guaranteed them that Eretz Yisroel would be a wonderful place to live so why did they indeed dissuade them? It’s also interesting to note that although the Torah states that Hashem commanded Moshe to send them, Rashi explains that Hashem didn’t explicitly send them rather he allowed the people to send them. Is there a difference since anyhow Hashem tacitly allowed this to happen. Rashi even comments that Hashem would permit them to fail in their mission! Did Hashem really prefer that they return and deter the nation from entering into Eretz Yisroel?
The Midrash states that Hashem certainly was not in favor of these 12 individuals failing in their mission, however, they ‘ran’ after Moshe and Ahron until they were accepted under the wings of the Divine Presence. Chasam Sofer cites this Midrash which provides us with a glimpse of the ingredients that created this havoc and mayhem.
Perhaps one might entertain the thought that Hashem would send this 12 prominent leaders of the nation on a doomed mission that would conclude with tragedy. The Midrash wants us to banish such a thought from our minds. Rather we need to understand better the setting upon which this narrative is based upon. Even though Hashem had guaranteed that Eretz Yisroel would be a wonderful land to settle in, to scout out the land and feel comfortable with this choice was certainly an option as Nachmonides points out. However, the protocol that followed this decision was somewhat slightly off which portended for a calamitous end. Hashem did not handpick these 12 distinguished people to represent the nation on this important and significant assignment. Rather, they stepped forward and volunteered to act on behalf of the nation on this critical duty. This may seem as a rather insignificant deviation from protocol but actually since they wanted to assume the mantel of leadership they were indeed not sent by Hashem but rather by the people. A very crucial digression that altered the very nature of their undertaking. They forced themselves upon Hashem so to speak without His explicit selection and that was a very strong expose of their character flaw.
Netziv has a fascinating analysis of this parsha but his main point is that there was a lack of allegiance to be totally dedicated to Hashem’s mandates which to a great extent dissolved the close relationship between Hashem and the people. This divergence was extremely grave and perhaps even gave the perceived go ahead for these great men to forego the normal channels and recognize that there was a need for a novel approach that would satisfy the present needs of the nation although imperfect as it may have been but maybe tailor made for their current attitude. It is possible to assume that they reasoned that due to the division between Hashem and the nation His forthcoming approval of the trip to Eretz Yisroel would not be extended. Therefore, they felt that it was imperative to begin the process without Hashem’s eager approval because that was the given situation. They blundered grievously and the rest is history.
A BYTE FOR SHABBOS
Not only are we warned not to degrade Hashem’s honor in the slightest but on the contrary we are commanded to sanctify Hashem in every way possible. The Chofetz Chaim was adamant at gatherings of Roshei Yeshiva and Rabbonim that they needed to adhere to this mandate in every way possible.
GOOD SHABB0S