The Kotzker Rebbe asks; “Why did G-d forgive us for the sin of the
Golden Calf even though we did not repent – while He did not forgive us for the
sin of the Spies even though we did repent?
The answer is that the sin of idolatry at least had some semblance of
spirituality where the people were searching (albeit misguidedly) for G-d – whereas the episode of the Spies
was crude (and lacking of any desire for spirituality)[1].”[2]
A genuine thirst for
spirituality, even if we consider it imprudent in the extreme, must never be entirely
dismissed, ignored, ridiculed or downplayed.
[1]
There are other Chassidic interpretations, however, that do ascribe spiritual
connotations to the reluctance of the Spies to go to the Land of Israel. They
wanted to remain within the spiritual confines of the purity of the dessert
where they were fed by G-d etc, and not have to go to the ‘land’ which
symbolized physicality.
[2]
Amud HaEmet p. 63, par. 3
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