Total obedience

This week's parsha discusses the spies and a question arises: Moshe was the shepherd of the Jewish people at the time and without a doubt, knew the spiritual state of every Jew. So obviously he knew the level of the heads of the tribes repsonsible for tens of thousands of Jews. How is it that they failed to fulfill their mission?

Moreover, we are talking about entering the Land of Israel which, had they been meritorious, the Redemption would have come.

Even a more significant question: G-d said to Moshe - "send from yourself, up to your discretion", i.e. this entire episode was Moshe's responsibility.

Even a simple human, if G-d addressed him, would obviously feel a great sense of responsibility and would try to carry out his task as befits such a mission. If that's the case with a regular human being, how much more so when we're talking about Moshe Rabbeinu! 

Moreover, Moshe corresponds to the level of emes (truth) and the minutest details are also emes. That being the case, how is it possible that the entire event led to sin?

Rashi says that the spies were "kosher at the time", i.e. righteous, so how is it that their actions resulted in sin?

We're therefore forced to say that  the spies' statements were stemming from holiness, the only problem being that vis-a-vis Moshe, who was on a higher level than they, there was a small miscalculation which led the spies to come to erroneous conclusions. 

Explains the Alter Rebbe that the spies really wanted to be involved in Torah and commandments only on the thought and speech levels but not in actuality,  fearing a possible descent which could bring negative consequences in its wake. 

When the spies entered Eretz Yisroel and saw that it was a land "flowing with milk and honey", the enormous fruit, etc. they realized that they would need to perform the 39 types of labor which would mean getting involved with the mundane. Following the rule "not to trust oneself", they reasoned that they were unable to assume responsibility for the tens of thousands of Jews by bringing them into Israel when there was danger there.

That's why they said that it was better to remain in the desert where there was no involvement with the mundane, they had the manna, the clouds killed snakes and scorpions, and  they could learn Torah in tranquility with Moshe Rabbeinu. So why bother entering Israel and deal with materiality when one could remain in the desert!?

Moreover, the spies' conclusions were based in Torah which directs  us to consider even doubtful dangerous situations and how much more so real physical and spiritual dangers.

They of course knew that Moshe and Aharon were able to enter Eretz Yisroel and withstand the trial but as far as the rest of the people, who could guarantee that they wouldn't succumb?

Since they were leaders of the people, they felt responsible for them. As far they themselves were concerned, they felt that they could, in all likelihood, get through unscathed and even if not, they were ready to forgo their learning and commandments as long as  G-d's will was done. But when it came to all other Jews, they felt that they couldn't accept  responsibility for them.

An instruction from all this is as follows: a Jew may say that since he conducts his life according to Jewish Law to the extent that even his mind has begun to function in accordance with Torah guidelines and even his bodily organs are doing the same, why can't he use his intellect to fulfill Divine Will? After all, his intellect is Torah's intellect.

Therefore the story of the spies teaches us that inspite of the fact that they were leaders, people of renown and their objections were grounded in Torah but because they used their own reasoning (albeit eminating from holiness), this resulted in sin. 

When we hear Moshe telling us to act in such and such a way, all calculations must be put to the side and we must immediately carry out Moshe's instructions.  

A person may object that blind obedience  is only the beginning of service and since he himself has been involved in avoda for many years, he can afford to mix in his understanding  in Torah matters and commandments, not just that, this would even add to his enjoyment of Torah and mitzvos!

 We therefore answer him that there needs to be a situation of  "ויהס כלב את־העם", "Caleb silenced the people", of silence and obedience, of heeding and carrying out the order.

As to what about this question he has, there will probably be found someone able to answer it. The main point is that the question shouldn't change anything...

Based on the Sichos, Parsha Shelach, 5726

Source: http://www.moshiach.ru/torah/37/8079.html#ixzz2UQWiVNFB