*The article below is an excerpt from the above Sefer
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Donate
Buy in Paperback or Kindle
Buy on Apple Books
Purchase on our website
Rishon
- Moshe sends spies to Eretz Canaan:
- Hashem spoke to Moshe saying that he should send men to tour the promised land of Canaan. One person is to be chosen from each tribe. Moshe did as he was instructed and sent them from the Paran desert to the land of Canaan. All the men in the group were distinguished leaders of Israel.
- The names of those chosen for the delegation:
- Reuvein: Shammua Ben Zaccur
- Shimon: Shafat Ben Chori
- Yehuda: Kalev Ben Yefuneh
- Yissachar: Yigal Ben Yosef
- Ephraim: Hosheia Ben Nun. Moshe called him Yehoshua.
- Binyamin: Palti Ben Rafu
- Zevulun: Gaddiel Ben Sodi
- Menasheh: Gaddi Ben Susi
- Dan: Ammiel Ben Gemalli
- Asher: Setur Ben Michael
- Naftali: Nachbi Ben Vofsi
- Gad: Geuel Ben Machi.
- The purpose and instruction of their mission: Moshe sent the above delegation to tour the land of Canaan and he told them to travel from the south and ascend the mountain. They should see the quality of the land, if it is good or bad, and if the nations that dwell on it are strong or weak, few or numerous, and if the cities are fortified or open. They should see if the land is fertile or lean, if it has trees or not. Moshe asked them to bring back with them from the fruits of the land. That period of the year was the time of the ripening of the grapes.
Q&A on Rashi
📘 Rashi Q&A — Bamidbar 13:1–20
13:1–2 — Sending the Spies
Q1. Why is this parsha placed after Miriam’s story?
A:
➡️ To teach:
They saw Miriam punished for lashon hara, yet did not learn — and sinned similarly.
Q2. What does “שְׁלַח לְךָ” mean?
A:
➡️ “Send for yourself” = optional, not commanded
Hashem permitted, but did not command.
Q3. Why did Hashem allow it?
A:
- Bnei Yisrael requested spies
- Hashem said: “I told them the land is good”
➡️ He allowed them to err through their own choice
13:3 — Who Were the Spies?
Q4. What does “כולם אנשים” mean?
A:
➡️ At that time they were important, righteous men
Q5. What does “על פי ה‘” mean?
A:
➡️ With Hashem’s permission, not command
13:16 — Yehoshua’s Name Change
Q6. Why did Moshe change Hoshea’s name?
A:
➡️ He prayed:
“May Hashem save you (י-ה יושיעך) from the spies’ plan”
13:17 — Instructions: Route
Q7. Why send them first to the Negev?
A:
➡️ It was the worst part of the land
Like a merchant shows inferior goods first → better impression later
13:18 — What to Examine
Q8. Why check the people’s strength?
A:
Because environment affects people:
- Some lands produce strong people
- Some produce weak
Q9. What sign did Moshe give for strength?
A:
- Open cities → strong, confident
- Fortified cities → weak, fearful
13:19 — Nature of the Land
Q10. What does “הבמחנים” mean?
A:
➡️ Open, unwalled cities
Q11. What defines a “good land”?
A:
➡️ Good water sources (springs, wells)
13:20 — Trees
Q12. What does “היש בה עץ” mean?
A:
➡️ Is there a righteous person there whose merit protects them?
Q13. Why encourage taking fruit?
A:
To bring proof of the land’s goodness
Q14. What does “בכורי ענבים” mean?
A:
➡️ The time of first-ripening grapes