Kalev was crowned with an awesome name "Avdi Kaev". What a coveted lofty title! Moshe was called Eved Hashem - as we know Moshe was anav mikol adam - "eved les ley migarmey klum". How is it that Kalev was awarded such an illustrious title with the deed of arguing with the miraglim?
The answer lies in the passuk itself. Kalev expressed a "ruach acheres" in his opposition to the other spies. Not in his argument with them! Rather as Rashi explains earlier - vayahas kalev es ha'am el Moshe - he spoke in a negative tone that drawed the attention of all the complainers, thinking he was on THEIR side. THAT was the ruach acheres. Not the opposition itself. Yehoshuah also opposed the miraglim - but Kalev was able to deal with the situation from a whole different approach. He momentarily, acted in a way that publicly denounced his past. This was such a selfless deed, an act that showed that Kalev too, was les ley migarmey klum.
In the ba'al teshuavah world this 'different spirit' is usually not just a momentary act, but quite often a very induring one indeed. A 'ruach acheres' in the face of the many family members & friends, and a ruach acheres for themselves from the person they used to be.
This spirit of selflessness, of completely dropping the entire being of who they were all the previous years, is a tremendous self bitul, truly deserving of the title "Avdi".
This is something we all can practice even if we are now all frum yidden. Are we complacent, always just riding on the waves of yesterday? We all should have a Ruach Acheres! Just because 'we always did that', just because 'last time we weren't makpid', just because we've relied on a certain kula or acted in questionable manner in the past, WHY DOES THAT HAVE TO BE TODAY AS WELL???!
Re-investigate, be introspective, look at things objectively from anew! May we all start using a Ruach Acheres & may Hashem be able to lovingly call us "Avdei Hashem".
