The Spies and their sin

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Questions and Answers

Who did Moshe send to spy the land of Canaan?

Men from each tribe of Israel, a total of twelve spies.

What were the specific instructions given to the spies by Moshe?

To begin in the south, climb up the mountain, observe the land and its people, and bring back fruit.

What was the report of the spies to Moshe?

They reported that the land was flowing with milk and honey, but the people were fierce and the cities were huge and fortified.

What was Calev's response to the people's fear of conquering the land?

He said that they could surely take possession of the land and overcome it, showing confidence and faith. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two spies that said good things about the land?

Yehoshua and Calev Signup and view all the answers

What penalty did Hashem impose on the Bnei Yisrael for their lack of faith and appreciation of the Promised Land?

40 years of wandering in the desert Signup and view all the answers

What significant event took place on the Ninth of Av?

Destruction of the first and second temples in Jerusalem, expulsion of the Jews from Spain, and other tragic events in Jewish history Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of a positive mind-set according to the text?

The belief that one can transform or change a tough situation into something better Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the statement 'If you think you can or think you can’t, you will prove yourself right' in the text?

It emphasizes the impact of mindset on outcomes Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of a negative mindset phrase from the text.

I can’t; I shouldn’t; I’m not good enough; the situation is hopeless Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'self-fulfilling prophecy'?

The idea that believing in a positive or negative outcome can influence its realization Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of personal strengths in developing a positive attitude according to the text?

Believing in oneself starts with understanding personal strengths Signup and view all the answers

Why did the spies come back with a negative mindset according to Rabbi Sacks?

They were scared of failure and thus did not even try to conquer the land Signup and view all the answers

What did Yehoshua and Calev tear as a sign of their disagreement with the other spies?

Their clothes Signup and view all the answers

What did the entire community do in response to the spies' report?

Raised their voices, shouted, and wept Signup and view all the answers

What did the people of Israel complain about in their response to the spies' report?

They complained about dying in the land of Egypt or in the desert, and expressed fear of dying by the sword and losing their families Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Moses Sends Spies to Canaan

Moses sends 12 spies to explore the land of Canaan and its inhabitants
The spies are instructed to gather information about the land, its people, and their strength

The Spies' Report

The spies return with a report, saying the land is "flowing with milk and honey"
They describe the people as "fierce" and the cities as "extremely huge and fortified"
They claim that the land "consumes its inhabitants" and that the people they saw were "huge"

The Two Faithful Spies

Joshua and Calev, two of the spies, report positively about the land
They say that if God desires it, He will bring them to the land and give it to them
They describe the land as "an exceedingly good land"

The People's Reaction

The people of Israel are frightened by the spies' report and complain against Moses and Aaron
They wish they had died in Egypt or the desert instead of attempting to conquer Canaan
They suggest appointing a new leader to take them back to Egypt

The Consequences of the People's Lack of Faith

God punishes the people by making them wander in the desert for 40 years
None of the generation that left Egypt will enter the land of Israel, except Joshua and Calev
The people's crying on the Ninth of Av will be a date of future mourning
The Ninth of Av is later marked by the destruction of the first and second temples, among other tragedies

The Power of a Positive Mind-Set

A positive mind-set is the ability to believe that one can transform a difficult situation into something better
Focusing on the negative can lead to a negative outcome, while focusing on the positive can enhance the chances of success
The way we speak can influence our mind-set, with positive phrases promoting a positive outlook and negative phrases promoting a negative outlook

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Description

Test your knowledge of the biblical story of Moses sending spies to Canaan with this quiz. Answer questions about the instructions given to the spies and the details they were asked to report back on.