Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who was Shafat ben Hori mentioned in Numbers 13:5?
A: Shafat ben Hori was the representative chosen from the tribe of Shimon to be one of the twelve spies sent by Moshe (Moses) to scout the land of Canaan (Bamidbar 13:2-5). Rashi explains that each tribal leader was selected for their righteousness and leadership qualities.
Q: Why does the Torah list the names of the spies in Numbers 13?
A: The Torah lists the names of the spies to teach us that these were distinguished leaders of their tribes (Rashi on Bamidbar 13:3). Despite their later failure in speaking negatively about Eretz Yisrael, they began their mission as righteous individuals, showing how even great people can make mistakes.
Q: What can we learn from Shafat ben Hori being chosen as a spy?
A: We learn that every tribe had capable leaders, and each had a role in the mission. The Midrash teaches that the selection process shows the importance of proper representation - leaders must be chosen carefully for important tasks (Bamidbar Rabbah 16:5).
Q: How is the tribe of Shimon connected to the story of the spies?
A: Shimon's representative was among the spies, showing that all tribes were equally involved in this pivotal moment. Later in Jewish history, the tribe of Shimon would be connected to the incident at Shittim (Bamidbar 25), showing how leadership carries great responsibility.
Q: Why does the verse mention both the father's name (Hori) and the tribe?
A: In Torah tradition, listing both the father's name and tribe gives us a complete identification of the individual. Rashi explains this shows the importance of lineage in Jewish tradition, as family and tribal connections help define a person's role and responsibilities within the nation.
Context of the Verse
The verse (Bamidbar 13:5) lists Shafat ben Chori as the representative of the tribe of Shimon among the twelve spies sent to scout the Land of Israel. This mission is critical in Sefer Bamidbar, as the spies' report later leads to the nation's hesitation to enter Eretz Yisrael, resulting in forty years of wandering in the wilderness.
Shafat ben Chori's Role
Rashi (Bamidbar 13:5) notes that Shafat's name means "judge," suggesting he was a person of discernment. The Midrash Tanchuma (Shelach 5) elaborates that each spy was chosen for their stature within their tribe, implying Shafat was a respected leader of Shimon.
The Significance of His Father's Name: Chori
The name "Chori" (חֹרִי) is interpreted in multiple ways:
Shimon's Tribal Representation
The tribe of Shimon was later diminished due to the sin of Baal Peor (Bamidbar 25:14), and some commentators (e.g., Abarbanel) suggest that Shafat's presence among the spies may reflect the tribe's future struggles with leadership and moral challenges.
Moral Lesson from the Spies
The Sforno (Bamidbar 13:2) emphasizes that the spies were initially righteous men, but their failure was in lacking sufficient faith in Hashem's promise. Shafat, as part of this group, serves as a cautionary figure about the dangers of misplaced judgment, even among great leaders.