Spies

Parshat Shelach Lekha (Send for Yourself) B'midbar (Numbers) 13:1 - 15:41 If the spies were sent on their mission today they would likely have modern equipment. A view of the land through a laser range finder. G-d tells Moshe to send twelve meraglim (scouts, or spies), one from each tribe, to reconnoiter Eretz Yisrael. Their mission is to asses its agricultural potential and the strength of the inhabitants. When the spies return ten of them insist the inhabitants are too strong to be overcome; they claim some are giants. Only Caleb and Joshua insist that the land can be conquered. The mass of the people lose heart and would rather go back to Egypt. This despite all the miracles that had been performed for them. The result is the ultimate punishment. G-d decrees they will die in the wilderness. Their children will conquer the land. I think this was a test that G-d knew they would fail. Those born and raised as slaves would be unable to rise to the challenge. That would be left to those born free.