TWO KIND OF SPIES

בס”ד

Summary of the Lesson

This article is a summary of some of the main ideas discussed during the lesson. The class itself contains much more depth, explanation, and nuance, and it is highly recommended to watch or study the complete lesson in full.

The lesson is based on a Chassidic discourse by the Rebbe from 1976, in which he explores the difference between two stories in Torah involving spies: the spies sent by Moshe in Parashat Shlach, and the spies sent by Yehoshua at the beginning of the Book of Yehoshua. Through analyzing the differences between these two stories, the discourse draws out important spiritual lessons about personal growth, the soul, and man’s service of G-d.

What Does God Expect From Us?

One of the central questions discussed in this lesson was very simple, yet extremely profound:

What does G-d actually expect from human beings?

According to Jewish thought, life is not random and human beings were not created simply to exist, consume, or survive. Every person has a purpose and a mission in this world. In Judaism, this mission is often described as Avodat Hashem — serving G-d through the way we live our lives and interact with the world around us.

This spiritual work can be summarized in two main ideas:

• improving ourselves, 
• and improving the world around us. 

A person is expected to grow, refine their character, and become better than they were before. At the same time, we are meant to contribute positively to creation and help make the world into a place that reflects holiness and godliness.

The Torah as an Eternal Teaching

An important idea emphasized during the lesson is that the Torah is eternal. Its stories are not only historical events from thousands of years ago; they also contain spiritual lessons that apply to every person in every generation.

To explain this, the lesson focused on two different stories:

• the spies sent by Moshe (Moses), 
• and the spies sent by Yehoshua (Joshua). 

Although both stories involve spies, Chassidic teachings explain that they actually represent two completely different forms of spiritual work.

The Difference Between Moshe and Yehoshua

Moshe sent spies to explore the entire Land of Israel. Interestingly, this was not directly commanded by G-d. The initiative came from Moshe himself after the people requested it.

Yehoshua’s story is very different. G-d specifically commanded him to send spies, and they were sent only to Yericho (Jericho), not to the whole land.

According to the lesson, this difference is deeply symbolic.

Moshe’s spies represent a very high and difficult level of spiritual work: refining a person’s inner emotional world. Yehoshua’s spies represent a more practical type of spiritual work that every person is expected to do.

The Soul and Its Different Levels

The lesson explained that the soul contains different levels.

First, there is the essence of the soul — the divine spark within every human being.

Then there are the inner powers of the soul:

• intellect, 
• emotions. 

Finally, there are what Jewish mysticism calls the “garments” of the soul:

• thought, 
• speech, 
• action. 

These are called garments because they are the ways the soul expresses itself outwardly into the world.

Working on Emotions

The Land of Israel, with its seven nations, symbolizes the emotional powers of the soul.

This means that Moshe’s spies represent the difficult work of transforming one’s inner emotions:

• changing what we desire, 
• redirecting love, 
• overcoming fear, 
• refining anger and other emotional tendencies. 

The lesson explained that this is extremely deep spiritual work. Emotions are not easy to change because they feel like part of who we are. Teaching oneself to genuinely love G-d more than material desires is not something simple or automatic.

This is why Moshe’s mission was associated with a very elevated spiritual level.

Yericho and the Garments of the Soul

Yehoshua’s spies, however, focused only on Yericho.

Yericho symbolizes the garments of the soul:

• thought, 
• speech, 
• action. 

Unlike emotions, these are things a person can control more directly.

A person may not always control which thoughts suddenly enter the mind, but they can control which thoughts they continue to focus on. A person can choose their words and choose their actions, even when emotions are difficult or confusing.

The lesson emphasized that this practical level of spiritual work is what G-d expects from every person.

Thought, Speech, and Action

A major focus of the lesson was the importance of daily choices.

Thought

Thought is constant. The mind never completely stops thinking. However, spiritual work means learning not to dwell on unhealthy, negative, or forbidden thoughts.

The challenge is not necessarily stopping thoughts from appearing, but choosing not to continue feeding them.

Speech

Speech has enormous power. Words can build, encourage, heal, and inspire — but they can also damage and destroy.

Part of spiritual growth is learning to speak more carefully and responsibly.

Action

Actions are the most practical expression of who we are. Judaism places tremendous importance on what a person actually does in daily life.

Even small actions matter spiritually.

Which Is More Important?

One of the most surprising ideas discussed in the lesson is that thought, speech, and action may actually be spiritually higher than emotions.

At first glance, emotions seem deeper and more spiritual. However, the lesson explained that emotions still contain a strong sense of self — “I feel,” “I love,” “I fear.”

But when a person acts according to G-d’s will, even when they personally feel differently, they step beyond their own ego and connect themselves to something higher.

This is why practical spiritual discipline is so important in Judaism.

The Practical Message of the Lesson

The final message of the lesson was both practical and encouraging.

Spiritual growth does not begin with becoming perfect overnight or completely transforming every emotion. It begins with the small daily decisions we make:

• what we think about, 
• how we speak, 
• and how we act. 

By refining these “garments” of the soul, a person slowly changes not only their behavior, but eventually their inner world as well.

True spiritual growth begins with consistent action, and through those actions a person gradually transforms both themselves and the world around them.

Original text: https://tuviaserber.com/and-yehoshua-sent-spies-5736/

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