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Deuteronomy 1:22 - Spies: Trust or Distrust?

Deuteronomy 1:22 - דברים 1:22

Hebrew Text

וַתִּקְרְבוּן אֵלַי כֻּלְּכֶם וַתֹּאמְרוּ נִשְׁלְחָה אֲנָשִׁים לְפָנֵינוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ־לָנוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ וְיָשִׁבוּ אֹתָנוּ דָּבָר אֶת־הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר נַעֲלֶה־בָּהּ וְאֵת הֶעָרִים אֲשֶׁר נָבֹא אֲלֵיהֶן׃

English Translation

And you came near to me every one of you, and said, We will send men before us, and they shall search us out the land, and bring us back word by what way we must go up, and into what cities we shall come.

Transliteration

Vatikrevun elai kulchem vatomru nishlcha anashim lefaneinu veyachperu-lanu et-ha'aretz veyashivu otanu davar et-haderech asher na'aleh-bah ve'et he'arim asher navo alehen.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן אֵלַי֮ כֻּלְּכֶם֒ וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ נִשְׁלְחָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ־לָ֖נוּ אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיָשִׁ֤בוּ אֹתָ֙נוּ֙ דָּבָ֔ר אֶת־הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲלֶה־בָּ֔הּ וְאֵת֙ הֶֽעָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָבֹ֖א אֲלֵיהֶֽן׃
וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן אֵלַי֮ כֻּלְּכֶם֒ וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ נִשְׁלְחָ֤ה אֲנָשִׁים֙ לְפָנֵ֔ינוּ וְיַחְפְּרוּ־לָ֖נוּ אֶת־הָאָ֑רֶץ וְיָשִׁ֤בוּ אֹתָ֙נוּ֙ דָּבָ֔ר אֶת־הַדֶּ֙רֶךְ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר נַעֲלֶה־בָּ֔הּ וְאֵת֙ הֶֽעָרִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָבֹ֖א אֲלֵיהֶֽן׃

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Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

The verse (Devarim 1:22) recounts the episode of the Meraglim (spies) in Parashat Devarim, where Bnei Yisrael requested to send scouts ahead to survey Eretz Canaan. This event is also described in Bamidbar (Numbers) 13, but here Moshe Rabbeinu retells it from his perspective, emphasizing the people's initiative rather than Hashem's command (as in Bamidbar 13:1-2).

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 1:22) notes that the phrase "וַתִּקְרְבוּן אֵלַי כֻּלְּכֶם" ("you came near to me every one of you") implies that the people approached Moshe in a disorderly manner, with young pushing ahead of elders—a sign of disrespect. He contrasts this with the proper conduct at Har Sinai (Shemot 19:24), where hierarchy was respected.

The Request's Motivation

According to Ramban (Devarim 1:22), the request to send spies stemmed from a lack of trust in Hashem's promise. Though framed as practical reconnaissance ("וְיַחְפְּרוּ־לָנוּ אֶת־הָאָרֶץ"), it reflected doubt, as Hashem had already assured them the land was good (Shemot 3:8). The Sforno adds that they sought military tactics ("הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר נַעֲלֶה־בָּהּ") rather than relying on divine guidance.

Midrashic Insights

  • The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 5) compares this request to a child whose father promises a beautiful gift, yet the child insists on inspecting it first—a lack of faith.
  • Devarim Rabbah (1:21) criticizes the phrasing "נִשְׁלְחָה אֲנָשִׁים" ("we will send men"), noting their arrogance in dictating terms to Moshe instead of humbly asking.

Halachic Perspective

The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 5:1) derives from this episode that military strategy is permitted after entering the land (as Yehoshua later did), but not when doubting Hashem's ability to fulfill His promise. The sin lay in the spies' mission undermining bitachon (trust in divine providence).

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 1:22 mean?
A: In Deuteronomy 1:22, the Israelites request to send spies ahead to scout the Land of Israel before entering. According to Rashi, this request showed a lack of faith in Hashem's promise to give them the land, as they wanted to rely on human strategy rather than divine assurance.
Q: Why did the Israelites want to send spies into the Land of Israel?
A: The Israelites asked to send spies because they wanted to gather military and geographical information about the land (Deuteronomy 1:22). The Midrash (Tanchuma Shelach 5) explains that while this seemed like a reasonable request, it actually demonstrated doubt in Hashem's ability to bring them into the land safely.
Q: What lesson can we learn from Deuteronomy 1:22?
A: This verse teaches the importance of trusting in Hashem's promises. The Ramban explains that while planning is generally wise, when Hashem explicitly promises something (like the Land of Israel), we should rely on Him completely rather than seeking excessive human reassurance.
Q: How does the story of the spies apply to us today?
A: The story reminds us to maintain faith in difficult situations. Just as the Israelites struggled to trust Hashem's promise of the land, we too must work on trusting divine providence in our lives, especially regarding the redemption of Israel and personal challenges (based on teachings in Mesillat Yesharim about bitachon - trust in Hashem).
Q: Was it wrong for the Israelites to send spies?
A: While scouting a land before conquest is normally permissible (as Joshua later did in Jericho), in this case it was inappropriate because Hashem had already promised them the land (Deuteronomy 1:21). The Talmud (Sotah 34b) explains that their request stemmed from fear and lack of faith, making it a spiritual failing.