By Dr. Zev Ballen
In this week's Parsha, we learn about the twelve leaders of Israel who decided to spy on the land of Israel despite Hashem's guaranteed promise to give them the Holy Land of 'milk and honey.'
The commentators ask how it could be that these great tzadikim lacked emuna in Hashem's promise that the Jewish people would be victorious in battle against the nations that were living there? How could it be that men of such high caliber still needed to "see the land - what is it? and the people that dwell in it - [are they] strong or weak? few or numerous?" What did the spies have to worry about?
Rashi tells us that Moses had already spoke with Hashem, and Hashem revealed to Moses His intention to bring the people safely into the Land and give it to them forever. Moreover, what possessed these tzadikim to fall so low as to malign the Holy Land with their evil report of a land that "devourers its inhabitants"; as well as to the sin of seeking to replace Moses with a new 'leader' (Rashi says: an idol) to return them to Egypt?
Since the Torah testifies that the ten spies were righteous people, the Nikcolsburger Rebbe finds some justification for their actions. He quotes the tzaddik Rebbe Moshe Tzvi of Savran who points to the verse "The Land is very, very good..." The Rebbe explains: Indeed it is a great merit to live in the Holy Land where Hashem's presence fills every nook and cranny. However, one must remember the warning that follows on the heel of this verse: "...But against Hashem you shall not rebel!" Clearly one should never rebel against Hashem's commandments where ever one lives, but if a person sins in Israel, his sin is far more severe.
The Nikcolsburger Rebbe surmises that the spies were afraid that the Jewish people would be held up to a higher level of accountability while living in Israel, and the spies felt that it would be better for them not to live there as of yet.
Although their intentions might have been noble, says the Nickolsburger, Yehoshua pointed out: "if Hashem will desire in us...and give us this Land." We are not taking this Land by ourselves. Hashem is giving it to us? And since Hashem is giving it to us, He will also give us the strength and ability to fulfill His Will, in Israel, despite the higher level of accountability to which we will be held. Why should we doubt ourselves and worry about this challenge if we have Hashem's guarantee?
It was not by accident that the only two 'spies' that did not complain against the land but rather heralded it's praises were Calev and Yehoshua who were close students of the tzaddik - Moses. This is one of many sources cited by Breslever Chassidim to show how much greater is the Divine protection of those who bond themselves to a tzaddik as compared to those who do not.
Even men on the awesome level of the ten righteous spies did not have enough merit of their own to save them from a sin that caused the destruction of both Holy Temples, and the subsequent torture and death of millions of Jews throughout this prolonged and arduous exile.
It would also be a mistake to think that Moses only prayed for his loyal disciples Calev and Yehoshua and not the other spies. Mose's prayed for them all. However even a tzaddik of Mose's caliber was only enabled by Hashem to save those who were fully committed to follow in Mose's teachings.
This is why Breslever Chassidim are so strict about praying with Rebbe Nachman on Rosh Hashanah even at great sacrifice to themselves and their families.
It is very beautiful and holy to pray with any congregation on Rosh Hashanah - but dovening with a true tzaddik is on a much higher level - as we see in this week's Parsha - it makes the ultimate difference.
You can download this week's Yeshiva Chut Shel Chesed's Parsha Newsletter right here: Download CSC NL Week 27 Sh'lach (1)
Good Shabbos!
Dr. Zev Ballen