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How could the spies be both righteous (kesherim) when they left and foolish (ksilim) when they spoke lashon hara? The shiur develops that they were great tzadikim who understood Torah (תורה) deeply, but made a fatal error: doing mitzvos because they understood them to be right, rather than because Hashem (ה׳) commanded them. When their understanding conflicted with Hashem's directive, they followed their own judgment.
The shiur addresses an apparent contradiction in Rashi (רש"י)'s commentary on Parshas Shelach. When the spies are first sent, Rashi describes them as 'kesherim' (righteous), yet when they return with a negative report, Rashi says they went 'be'etzah ra'ah' (with bad counsel). The Midrash further calls them resha'im, while Rabbeinu Bachya explains they were tzadikim who became ksilim through speaking lashon hara. Rabbi Zweig resolves this by distinguishing between two types of tzadikim. The first does mitzvos simply because Hashem (ה׳) commanded them. The second does mitzvos because he understands them to be correct and right. While the second approach seems higher, it contains a dangerous trap: when understanding becomes the basis for obligation rather than divine command, a person can eventually follow his own judgment even when it contradicts Hashem's will.
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Parshas Shelach - Shlach Lecha Anashim
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