The book of Devarim opens in an unexpected way – with Moshe recounting one of Israel’s greatest failures: the sin of the meraglim. His retelling, however, differs significantly from the original narrative in Bamidbar and, at first glance, even seems to contradict it. Why tell it this way? Moshe’s words offer a powerful lesson for our world which is quick to call out faults and eager to embrace narratives that simplify or distort the truth.

In Devarim, it is not God who initiates the sending of scouts, but rather the nation. And it is not the spies—the tribal leaders—who spread criticism of the land, but the people. Rav Tamir Granot explains that Moshe chose to begin with this story, and to retell it in this way, because its lessons were most relevant for this second generation. Bamidbar emphasizes the failures of the leaders. Devarim emphasizes the people’s responsibility – teaching that a nation cannot simply blame its leadership; every individual bears a share of accountability.

The rabbis adopt a similar approach in retelling the story of the churban, commemorated on Tisha B’Av. Historical sources and the Talmud recount corrupt priests during the final years of the Second Temple, and the infamous story of Kamtza and Bar Kamtza, along with the silence of the rabbis who witnessed it, contributed to the destruction of Jerusalem. Yet, the Sages ultimately teach that the Temple fell not because of leadership failures alone, but because of sinat chinam – pointless hatred among the people.

These retellings do not seek to manipulate or distort the truth. Instead, they model something rare and vital: the courage to confront failure honestly and learn from it. In an age when truth is often twisted and responsibility deflected, Moshe’s words call us to a higher standard – to speak with integrity, to take ownership of our actions, and to recognize that each of us can shape a more honest and hopeful future. Shabbat Shalom -Karen Miller Jackson