Pisqa’ 23155H:44-45; JN1:60 1. “And they took in their hands some of the fruit of the Land” (Dt.1:25). Said R. Shimon: What contemptible people! For they grabbed with their hands!156See Pisqa’ 20.2. Like a person who grabs figs or grapes for an issar— that’s how they grabbed with their hands!
2. “And they brought it down to us” (Dt.1:25). This indicates that the Land of Canaan is higher than all other lands, in line with what is said: “Let us ascend immediately, and take possession of it!” (Nu.13:30). [And it says:] ”And they ascended and scouted the Land” (Nu.13:21), [for it is said:] ”Ascending via the Negev” (Nu.13:22), [and, finally:] ”And they ascended from Egypt” (Gn.45:25).
“And they proposed, saying: Good is the Land that HASHEM our God is giving to us!” (Dt.1:25). Now, did they really say good things about it? Actually, they said evil things about it! Who said good things? Only Joshua and Caleb. Nevertheless: “But you did not consent to ascend, and you defied the utterance of HASHEM your God.” (Dt.1:26).
(דברים א כה) וַיִּקְחוּ בְיָדָם מִפְּרִי הָאָרֶץ, אָמַר רַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן: עֲלוּבִים בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁכָּךְ נָטְלוּ בְיָדָם, כְּאָדָם שֶׁנּוֹטֵל בְּאִסָּר תְּאֵנִים, בְּאִסָּר עֲנָבִים – כָּךְ נָטְלוּ בְיָדָם.
Pisqa’ 23155H:44-45; JN1:60
1. “And they took in their hands some of the fruit of the Land” (Dt.1:25).
Said R. Shimon:
What contemptible people!
For they grabbed with their hands!156See Pisqa’ 20.2.
Like a person who grabs figs or grapes for an issar—
that’s how they grabbed with their hands!
וַיּוֹרִדוּ אֵלֵינוּ, מַגִּיד שֶׁאֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן גְּבוֹהָה מִכָּל הָאֲרָצוֹת, כְּעִנְיָן שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (במדבר יג ל): ״עָלֹה נַעֲלֶה וְיָרַשְׁנוּ אֹתָהּ כִּי יָכוֹל נוּכַל לָהּ״, (במדבר יג כא) ״וַיַּעֲלוּ וַיָּתֻרוּ אֶת הָאָרֶץ״, (במדבר יג כב) ״וַיַּעֲלוּ בַנֶּגֶב״, (בראשית מה כה) ״וַיַּעֲלוּ מִמִּצְרָיִם״.
2. “And they brought it down to us” (Dt.1:25).
This indicates that
the Land of Canaan is higher
than all other lands,
in line with what is said:
“Let us ascend immediately, and take possession of it!” (Nu.13:30).
[And it says:]
”And they ascended and scouted the Land” (Nu.13:21),
[for it is said:]
”Ascending via the Negev” (Nu.13:22),
[and, finally:]
”And they ascended from Egypt” (Gn.45:25).
וַיָּשִׁיבוּ אֹתָנוּ דָבָר וַיֹּאמְרוּ טוֹבָה הָאָרֶץ אֲשֶׁר ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ נֹתֵן לָנוּ, וְכִי לְטוֹבָתָהּ אָמְרוּ? וַהֲלֹא לֹא אָמְרוּ אֶלָּא לְרָעָתָהּ! מִי אָמַר טוֹבָתָהּ? יְהוֹשֻׁעַ וְכָלֵב, אַף עַל פִּי כֵן (דברים א כו) ״וְלֹא אֲבִיתֶם לַעֲלוֹת וַתַּמְרוּ אֶת פִּי ה׳ אֱלֹהֵיכֶם״!
“And they proposed, saying: Good is the Land
that HASHEM our God is giving to us!” (Dt.1:25).
Now, did they really say good things about it?
Actually, they said evil things about it!
Who said good things?
Only Joshua and Caleb.
Nevertheless:
“But you did not consent to ascend,
and you defied the utterance of HASHEM your God.” (Dt.1:26).