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How could the spies fall so far? A lesson in purpose and true mission

September 8, 2025
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In his weekly teachings, the Admor Rabbi Yoshiyahu Pinto blends Hasidic insight with practical life guidance. This week, in Parashat Shelach, he explores a profound idea: a person’s strength and success lie not only in their abilities, but in the integrity of the mission they undertake – and in who sends them.

At the center of Parashat Shelach is one of the greatest crises in Jewish history: the mission of the twelve spies. These were no ordinary men. The Torah describes them as tribal leaders, esteemed for their knowledge and spiritual standing. Yet their return from the Land of Canaan marked the beginning of tragedy. With words that shook the nation, they declared: “We cannot go up against the people, for they are stronger than us.” Their statement implied something unthinkable – that the nations of Canaan were stronger even than God Himself, Heaven forbid.

How could such great men, who had witnessed the splitting of the Red Sea, the giving of the Torah, the manna, and the miracles in the desert, fall into such a grave error?

Rabbi Pinto explains that the root of their failure lies not in the mission itself – but in the origin of that mission. Drawing on the Talmud in Berachot (34b), he points to the principle: “If a prayer leader makes a mistake, it is a bad sign for his congregation, for the messenger is like the one who sent him.” In other words, the spiritual success of a mission depends on the purity and integrity of the one who initiates it. A flawed sender yields a flawed mission – even if the messenger himself is righteous.

God tells Moses, “Send for yourself men” – but this, says Rabbi Pinto, was not a divine command. It was a concession to the people’s fear and uncertainty. The idea to scout the land came from the people – and not from God. Their motivation was not rooted in faith, but in anxiety and suspicion. Because of this, the mission itself was spiritually tainted.

“In contrast,” says Rabbi Pinto, “Joshua and Caleb succeeded because their mission was rooted in holiness. Joshua went as a direct messenger of Moses, and Caleb – according to tradition – cleaved to God’s will. That is why they returned with faith and strength: ‘We shall surely go up… for we can overcome.’”

The lesson is clear: when a person sees himself as a true emissary of God, he is filled with divine support and blessing. But when a person acts out of personal interests, ego, or misplaced fear – even noble actions may unravel.

Rabbi Pinto shares a story that captures this idea:

 

“A prominent Rosh Yeshiva once promised a student to attend his son’s wedding. When he couldn’t make it, he sent another rabbi from the yeshiva in his place. That rabbi conducted the wedding and stayed throughout the entire evening. When people asked why he stayed so long, he replied: ‘I was sent by the Rosh Yeshiva, and the agent is like the one who sent him. I felt that during those hours, I was carrying his presence, so I wanted to remain a little longer – to continue experiencing that merit.’”

It is a simple yet profound message. When one lives with a sense of divine mission – even daily tasks become channels of spiritual purpose. Torah learning, earning a livelihood, raising a family – all of these gain depth and blessing when a person sees himself not as an isolated actor, but as a messenger of God. 

Parashat Shelach reminds us: it’s not just what we do, but why and for whom we do it. The source of our actions determines their outcome. When the intent is pure, and the sender is divine – the mission is elevated, and the path ahead becomes one of light.

This article was written in cooperation with Shuva Israel and first published by The Jerusalem Times

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