What is the key to transformation? Mind or heart? The City of Jericho was the first city conquered in the Holyland by Joshua. According to Kabbalah, Jericho represents the transformation of our thought, speech and action.

Practically speaking it is the habits we embody and the work we do. 

A deep dive into Parshat Shelach & the story of Moshe's spies and Joshua's spies. Why did Joshua send spies to Jericho specifically?

In Parshat Shelach, we learn about the 12 spies sent to the Holyland. Instead of bringing facts, they interpreted the situation as dire and impossible to conquer the "Land of the 7 Nations."

According to Kabbalah and Chassidut, the land of the 7 nations represents our 7 base emotions which are meant to be conquered and transformed into the land of Israel, which means straight or aligned with G-d.

Although the spies failed their mission and the nation of Israel took a 40-year sojourn, there was a "take two" when Joshua sent his spies to the City of Jericho. Jericho is claimed to be the oldest city in the world and is called the "key to the Holyland" and the."fragrance of the land of Israel."