“No Problem Whatsoever!”

Moshe asked, and HaShem answered, “Shlach Lecha Anashim – Send for yourself men – don’t get Me involved. I promised the land is good. It’s your decision. But if you decide to send, be careful to choose the very finest and best of Anashim – men – 12 of them, one per tribe. ViyaSuru Es HaAretz – let them tour the land.”

Nowadays, with digital cameras and modern technology, it’s easy to show off your trip with pictures or video clips. But in those days, you had to “paint the picture” with words, a.k.a. an oral report.

Moshe thought to himself, “I don’t have a good feeling about this whole thing. But if I hesitate, people may think that I am hiding something from them.” In order to prove his confidence, he quickly agreed, “No problem whatsoever! You want it… you got it!”

Indeed, Moshe was hoping that with his pretend optimism, the people wouldn’t even bother sending the spies.

Shmuel: “Can I try out your donkey with a 100 pound load?”

Dan: “Just 100 pounds? You can try him out carrying 200 pounds!”

Shmuel: “Can I try him out in the rocky, narrow mountain roads?”

Dan: “No problem. My donkey is as sure-footed as a mountain goat.”

Shmuel: “How about if I take him for a spin in the hot, muddy valleys?”

Dan: “Absolutely! Our donkeys at “Donkeys R Us” are in tip-top shape. Go for it… wherever you want!”

Shmuel: “You know what? I’m not even going to bother with the donkey test drive. From the way you talk, I am convinced. Take the money… it’s a deal!”

Similarly, Moshe hoped that his confidence would inspire Bnei Yisrael to give up on their plan of sending spies.

But they didn’t give up. They kept on nudging. Nudge, nudge, nudge!

“Moshe, we want spies and we want them now!”

“Hmmmm,” Moshe hmmmmed. “I am sending great people, Tzadikim, to check out Eretz Yisrael,” Moshe thought wishfully. “Hopefully they will come back with a good report.”