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As the Children of Israel were about to enter Israel, they came to Moses and sought permission to first send spies. According to Nahmanides (1194-1270; 13:2), Israel claimed the spies were needed to understand the layout of the land in order to prepare its settlement.

However, as the Ralbag explains (1288-1344; 13:3; see also second Toelet on Parshat Shelach), Israel had no need to strategize. After witnessing the miracles in Egypt, at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness, surely the Israelites could rely upon God to bring them into the land of Canaan.

As the Medrash Rabba (30-200 CE; Bamidbar Rabba 16:7) explains, God knew the real reason Israel wanted to send spies; they lacked trust that God would bring them to a "good land" (Deuteronomy 8:7). However, if God did not grant permission for the spies, the Israelites would have said, "the reason God is not allowing us to see the land is because it's not a good land."

Moses asked God on Israel's behalf and God granted permission for the spies.

God spoke to Moses: "Send forth for yourself men and let them spy out the land of Canaan that I give to the Children of Israel" (Numbers 13:1-2).

The Sforno (1475-1550; 13:2) explains that God set one restriction on the spies -- they had to be selected by Moses, as the verse says, "send forth for yourself." The Sforno elaborates that God was afraid the Israelites might pick ordinary people who wouldn't recognize the good of the land and would be tempted to speak derogatorily.

Would the Israelites have sent people who could not appraise land? Wouldn't they have sent experts whose opinions could be trusted? If Israel had sent able men, why would they not recognize the good in the land of Canaan?

Because most people just look for flaws! No matter how special was the land of Canaan, a land "flowing with milk and honey," most people would search for the imperfections. God recognized that all people have the inclination to find flaws with their surroundings.

Only those that have worked on their personal character traits can avoid the pitfall of looking for flaws in others. God instructed Moses to handpick the most qualified people in hope they would rise above their natural inclinations; only then was there a chance they would not complain and slander the land. Unfortunately, that did not work either.

Searching for faults is a natural course of behavior. It is the human challenge to breakthrough this temperament and focus on goodness.

Rabbi Chaim Lobel is the spiritual leader of Young Israel of Aberdeen
www.yiaberdeen.com.