Caleb Hushes Israel and Silences the Spies Before Moses

(Numbers 13:30:) “AND CALEB HUSHED” &c., for at first he said to them: I am with you in one counsel; but his heart was to speak the truth, as it is stated (in Joshua 14:7): “And I brought him back word as was in my heart.” And the Holy One, blessed be He, testifies concerning him, as it is stated (in Numbers 14:24): “But My servant Caleb, [because another spirit was with him].” And when the spies came, they said: Caleb is trustworthy to us. Immediately he stood up upon the bench and silenced all Israel, who were crying out against Moses, as it is stated (in Numbers 13:30): “And Caleb hushed the people toward Moses.” And they supposed that he was speaking slander; therefore they were silent. He opened and said (ibid.): “We shall surely go up and possess it.” Immediately they disputed and said: “We are not able to go up” &c.; “and they brought out an evil report of the land” &c. (ibid. 13:31–32).