| The incident of the spies is hard to understand. We see other instances in the Torah, when we employed spies, such as when Yehoshua sent spies into Jericho. If so, why do we find such criticism regarding the 12 spies who were sent to spy out the Land of Israel? In order to answer this question, let us turn to the root of the matter, i.e., the incident that sparked the sending of the spies. A contingency of leaders approached Moshe and asked that he send them to spy out the land. While the strategy of spying is used throughout the Torah, there was a critical difference here. In the other times when we employed spies, HaShem instructed us to send the spies. However, the spies who delivered a negative report came forward on their own initiative and asked Moshe to send them out to spy. Why didn't they wait for HaShem's instructions? Fear stirred in their hearts. Once, their faith weakened, the yetzer hora intensified their negativity, causing them to fall into a state of confusion. The Talmud teaches us that a person is lead on the way that he wants to go. Once his desire or fear is awakened, the powers of propensity are fired up and lead him on that very course. Accordingly, since the trust in HaShem of the spies faltered, the propensity of negativity was ignited and lead to their utter failure. However, the axiom that a person is lead on the way that he wants to go, works both for bad as well as FOR GOOD. Therefore, if we choose positive goals and strengthen our trust in HaShem, then these good aspirations will ultimately become a living reality. That is, our positive goals and faith, will lead us to success, happiness, and abundant blessings. [Based on the Ohr RaShaz of Rabbi Simcha Zissel, The Alter of Kelm] | 
