The Lesson
The lesson from this in one’s service of G-d is as follows:
The mistake of the spies was that they desired to serve G-d in thought and speech but not in action. This idea is explained in Chassidic thought as follows:
The spies were on a tremendously high level and did not wish to lower themselves to do physical commandments, which is a drawing of G-d’s infinite light into the lowest (of worlds).
Likutei Torah 36d-37a
A person not wishing to make the same mistake is likely to swing to the other side of the pendulum and focus on the action of the mitzvos, while ignoring their emotions or intellectual intent.
Rashi therefore teaches us that it was their intent of libel that eventually brought about the calamity of not listening to Moshe and to their libel regarding the land.
From this we can understand the positive aspect of thought as well:
Nevertheless, it has been said that "prayer or other benediction [recited] without kavanah (intent) is like a body without a neshamah (soul)."
Tanya, Ch. 38
The soul’s effect on the body is not unimportant or secondary. The soul transforms a lifeless body into a living one. So too, the intent of mitzvos breathes life into them and transforms the mitzvos into actions that are permeated with vitality.
This is especially accomplished through the study of Chassidus, where the reasons for mitzvos are imparted in the deepest of ways.
So too, when we await for Moshiach with the depth of our hearts, this in turn hastens the time of future redemption. May it be speedily in our days!
(Based on Likutei Sichos 38, Sh’lach, reworked by Rabbi Dovid Markel. To see other projects and to partner in our work, see: www.Neirot.com.)
