“And what the land is, whether it is fat and lean, whether there are trees therein, or not.” (13:20)
Rashi explains that “.g” (tree) serves as a metaphor for an an honorable, righteous man who will protect the country by his merit. This explanation seems peculiar, for if Moshe was inquiring as to the presence of a righteous honorable man, should he not have sent the spies searching in the houses of prayer and study? Why did he send them to the public thoroughfares of the city, and to the gardens and orchards? When a city has righteous and honorable rulers, it reflects their presence in all areas of the city proper. The influence of a great person…
