| "And I took from you twelve men" (Devarim 1:23). The twelve spies whom Moshe Rabbeinu appointed to scout the Land of Israel were among the most spiritually elevated individuals of their generation. Despite their greatness and the open miracles they had witnessed, the majority of them failed in their mission.
What led to such a profound failure?
The spies became complacent—they stopped growing. Spiritually, they had become stagnant. In contrast, Yehoshua and Calev, the two who remained faithful, embodied the verse, "For Yisrael is youthful, and I love him" (Hoshea 11:1).
In the generation of Hoshea, HaShem praised Klal Yisrael for their youthful spirit and fresh excitement—as if they were discovering Torah for the very first time. Likewise, Yehoshua and Calev approached their mission with the same energy and enthusiasm, as though they were just beginning their journey in knowing HaShem and understanding His love for the entire nation of Israel.
The greatest threat to spiritual vitality is apathy and complacency. In contrast, excitement and eagerness are the very breath of spiritual life.
Today: Picture Yehoshua as a young man, learning Torah with boundless joy and energy. Then see how that same spark remains with him in adulthood, and even in his old age. That enduring passion is what empowered him to overcome the trial of the spies. So too, awaken your heart with joy, aliveness, and deep longing for HaShem and His Torah. (Based on the commentary of Da'as Torah and the teachings of Rav Yisrael Salanter)
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