The Seforim discuss the distinction between the very serious sin of the עגל הזהב, the Golden Calf, after which Hashem completely forgave the Jewish Nation, whereas the sin of the מרגלים, the Spies, led to crying every year on the anniversary of their return. They explain that this can be compared to someone who hurt the feelings of a dear friend. Subsequently, he apologized and asked for forgiveness. His friend responds, I can forgive you, but you should know that the person you really hurt is yourself. You will never trust yourself again, and you will always be upset with yourself that you allowed yourself to act this way towards a good friend.
In the same manner, Hashem told the Jewish Nation that the sin of the Golden Calf was an insult to His honor, and he could forgive them. However, when they spoke negatively about the Land of Israel, they were really expressing their own lack of confidence in their ability to live in the real world, away from the miraculous life they had enjoyed for forty years. This has nothing to do with me, God explained, and I cannot forgive you. You are now torn internally, you don't trust in your innate holiness, and this will cause crying in all generations.
We have endured the destruction of two Temples and still await the building of the third, and yet there are those amongst us who don't trust themselves, they do not believe in their own holiness. If a person thinks that he cannot withstand the physical world, that is because he doesn't trust in his own holy power of free will, and in the ability of the soul to live within a human body.
אשיחה בחוקיך במדבר רי"ט
In the same manner, Hashem told the Jewish Nation that the sin of the Golden Calf was an insult to His honor, and he could forgive them. However, when they spoke negatively about the Land of Israel, they were really expressing their own lack of confidence in their ability to live in the real world, away from the miraculous life they had enjoyed for forty years. This has nothing to do with me, God explained, and I cannot forgive you. You are now torn internally, you don't trust in your innate holiness, and this will cause crying in all generations.
We have endured the destruction of two Temples and still await the building of the third, and yet there are those amongst us who don't trust themselves, they do not believe in their own holiness. If a person thinks that he cannot withstand the physical world, that is because he doesn't trust in his own holy power of free will, and in the ability of the soul to live within a human body.
אשיחה בחוקיך במדבר רי"ט
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