Pisqa’ 22¹⁵³

1. “They turned and ascended to the hills” (Dt. 1:24)— this indicates that the way of scouts is to ascend to the hills. And so does Rahab say to Joshua’s scouts: “Head for the hills, lest the pursuers snatch you!” (Josh. 2:16). This indicates that the Spirit of the Holy One¹⁵⁴ Normally understood as the spirit of Prophecy. rested upon her. For had the Spirit of the Holy One not rested upon her, how would she have known that the scouts were destined to return after three days? Indeed, this explains that the Spirit of the Holy One rested upon her.

footnotes: ¹⁵³ H:44; JN1:59 ¹⁵⁴ Heb: ruakh haqodesh.

2. “And they arrived at the Wadi of the Grape Cluster”( Dt. 1:24). This teaches that the place was named in view of its future significance [as the site of enormous grape clusters (Nu. 13:23-24)]. And, similarly, you say: “And they arrived at the mountain of God, Horeb” (Ex. 3:1). This indicates that it was named in view of its future significance [as the mountain from which the Torah would be given].

“And they scouted it all by foot” (Dt. 1:24). This teaches that they walked it four times over in a skillful pattern of warp and woof [that covered all its terrain].