Kalev

The role of Kalev in the episode of the מרגלים, is often downplayed. He was one of the courageous heroes of the story.

He was from the tribe of Yehuda and was married to Miriam, the sister of Moshe Rabbeinu. Their son, חור, was murdered during the sin of the Golden Calf.

Perhaps that incident influenced Kalev to stand tall during the evil report of the spies. That same lack of faith that cost his son’s life, had again been exposed a little more than a year later.

Kalev understood that he must speak out against the rebellious masses who doubted Hashem, and his brother in-law, Moshe.

He stopped at מערת המכפלה in חברון, to pray by the graves of the matriarchs and patriarchs, to ask that they beseech Hashem to help in this latest crises of speaking badly about the “very, very, good Land.”

Kalev was rewarded for his efforts as his tribe was later given Chevron as part of its territory. The Gemara tells us that he and Joshua were the same age. But Kalev remained young and youthful because of his zeal and strength to stand up for Hashem, the Land, and all that was holy. Kalev was truly one of the great Jewish heroes in Jewish history.