How the Spies Opened With Praise and Closed With Slander

Midrash Tanchuma Buber, Sh'lach 17:1

Curated by Arthur·Translated by Maggid (Beta)·

"And they went and came <to Moses and to Aaron and to all the congregation of the children of Israel>…" (Numbers 13:26). "And they recounted to him and said: We came <to the land to which you sent us, and it does indeed flow with milk and honey, and this is its fruit>…" (ibid., ibid. 27); "However, <the people that dwell in the land are> strong…" (ibid., ibid. 28). Such is the way of those who recount slander: they open with what is good and conclude with what is evil.

Themes

HumorWitAdam EveWisdomTruth

Biblical References

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