Seeing as the Torah is now discussing the spies' return, why does it add the word "Vayeilchu"?
Rashi: To teach us that just as their return was with evil intent, so too, was their departure. 1
Seeing as the spies had not yet seen the giants or the people dying, what caused them to conspire to sin?
The commentaries ascribe it to the fact that they were important dignitaries, and that they were afraid that, once a new constitution was drawn-up in Eretz Yisrael, they would lose their positions.
Others attribte it to the fact that they were living a utopian existence in the desert, close to the Shechinah, with all their needs provided. And the figred that all this would change for the woese when they entered Eretz Cana?an.
Seing as Yisrael was encamped in Midbar Sinai, why does the Torah write that the spies returned to Midbar Paran?
Shabbos, 89a: Because Midbar Paran is synonymous with Midbar Sinai - and is so-called because Yisrael were 'fruitful' (Paru ve'Ravu) when they encamped in front of Har Sinai. 1
See Torah Temimah, note 17.
To whom does "Va'yashivu osam Davar" refer?
QUESTIONS ON RASHI
Rashi writes that just as their return was with evil intent, so too, was their departure. But above (in Pasuk 3), he said that "Kulam Anashim" implies Tzadikim?
Moshav Zekenim: Before [Moshe] told them to go, they were still Kesherim, and it was only after they were commanded to go that their hearts switched to evil.
