From the Teachings of the Lubavitcher Rebbe Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Zt”l
This week's Torah portion, Shelach, contains the story of the Twelve Spies. Rabbi Shneur Zalman, founder of Chabad Chasidism, explained the episode of the spies as follows:
The Twelve Spies were righteous individuals; the reason they wished to remain in the desert was out of concern for the Torah. The spies were afraid that the trials and tribulations the Jews would encounter in the Land of Israel would be too great, and their study of Torah and performance of mitzvot would suffer.
An Entire Day to Devote to Torah Study without Distraction
In the desert, there was no need to worry about the ordinary necessities of life. Bread fell from the sky, water was provided miraculously from a well that accompanied the Jews, and their clothing grew along with their bodies and never deteriorated. The entire day was free to devote to Torah study without distraction.
By contrast, the spies recognized that even before the Jews could enter the land it would have to be conquered. Once they entered Israel they would have to farm the land and engage in business in order to obtain the same amenities. They worried that this preoccupation with worldly affairs would have a negative effect on the Jews' Torah and mitzvot. This, however, was the core of their transgression.
The spies failed to comprehend that if G-d commanded them to enter Israel, they were required to do so with self-sacrifice, and to put their trust entirely in Him. It was not their place to worry about potential difficulties.
“Do Not Rebel Against G-d!”
The only two who did not sin were Joshua and Caleb. "Do not rebel against G-d!" they insisted. There is nothing to be afraid of when one is carrying out His will.
A question is raised: If the spies were truly righteous, how could they have made such a terrible mistake? Indeed, when the spies first embarked on their mission, they recognized that the life-style the Land of Israel represented was radically different from the one in the desert. Nonetheless, they set out with the intention of fulfilling G-d's command. But by the time they returned they had changed their minds.
What caused them to falter is that seeing something in person is far different from hearing about it. When the spies saw for themselves the difficulties the Jewish people would face, they were stricken with fear. Thus, despite their good intentions, they brought back an evil report about the Land.
The Challenge to a Person’s Good Resolve
It sometimes happens that a person may resolve to increase in Torah and mitzvot, but finds it difficult when it comes to actually doing so. Although his initial intention was good, when he sees firsthand the obstacles he will need to overcome, he becomes discouraged and mistakenly believes it beyond his ability.
This, however, is not so.
In the words of Caleb, "We can easily go up and take possession of it, for we are well able to overcome it." When a Jew fulfills G-d's command, he will always be successful.
Reprinted from the Parashat Shelach 5761/2001 edition of L’Chaim, a publication of the Lubavitch Youth Organization in Brooklyn. Adapted from Volume 8 of Likutei Sichot.
