Yaacov Avinu had twelve sons. Each son, except for Yoseph, was appointed the leader of one Tribe. HaShem granted Yoseph two portions, which were assigned to his sons, Ephraim and Menashe. Since Yoseph received a double portion, there was no Tribe called "Yoseph." Hence, there were thirteen Tribes.
Yet, in reference to the ill-fated spies, Moshe Rabenu said, "I took from you twelve men, one man for each Tribe" (Devarim 1:23). There were thirteen Tribes, yet Moshe sent only twelve spies?
Rashi explains that the Tribe of Levi did not participate in the incident of the spies!
In Bamidbar (13:9), the Torah lists all the Tribes who sent a spy. Since Levi is not mentioned in this list, the Torah informs us that Levi did not send a representative. Why does the Torah repeat the fact that Levi did not engage in the incident of the spies in Devarim?
Not only did Levi not send a representative to go with the spies (as taught in Bamidbar), even more, they dissociated themselves ideologically from the corrupt counsel of the spies (as taught in Devarim)! Also, the Tribe of Levi rejected the slander spoken by the other Tribes. Throughout the entire incident, the Tribe of Levi remained faithful to HaShem and Moshe Rabenu.
Let us be inspired by the example of the Tribe of Levi to separate ourselves externally and internally from misconduct. Tow the moral line of truth and grow to lofty heights.
(Based on Da'as Torah of Rav Yerucham Levovitz)
