Parshat Devarim - Moshe, the Spies, and the Scouts

This shiur examines Moshe’s recounting of the spies. Why is this story found here in Devarim? Why does Moshe decide to recount this story now, on the cusp of the people entering Eretz Yisrael? Moshe tells the story as if the sending of spies was the people’s initiative. But how well does this fit with the story in Bemidbar? As we compare and contrast the two accounts, we find clues about the root of the sin and collapse. If people do not have the self-respect and self-confidence allowing them to believe the could conquer the land, their attitude becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. “God helps those who help themselves,” but in the generation of former slaves, even the leaders believed they were nothing. Moshe has to reinforce a different attitude to those about to enter the Land of Israel.