וַיִּזְכֹּ֣ר יוֹסֵ֔ף אֵ֚ת הַחֲלֹמ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁ֥ר חָלַ֖ם לָהֶ֑ם וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֲלֵהֶם֙ מְרַגְּלִ֣ים אַתֶּ֔ם לִרְא֛וֹת אֶת־עֶרְוַ֥ת הָאָ֖רֶץ בָּאתֶֽם׃
Da erinnerte sich Joseph der Träume, die er von ihnen geträumt hatte, und sprach zu ihnen: Kundschafter seid ihr; ihr seid hergekommen, um die Schwäche des Landes zu erspähen!
Noam Elimelekh
...This is what Joseph is saying to his brothers when he accuses them of being spies – namely, he wants them to be on the level of feet, i.e. to think always of the need of Israel for livelihood. They replied that they were kenim, honest men, which the Targum renders as “we are directed,” meaning we want to walk on the greatest levels, in the highest worlds. using the deepest kavvanot, in constant awareness of inter-connectedness. But Joseph replies, “By this you shall be put to the test” which means that he said to them by means of the Sh’chinah which is called “this”1 will you be tested, meaning will you arrive at this quality. “By Pharaoh's life” – by taking the life force from Pharaoh, i.e. the shells (or husks) because you are m’raglim, i.e. people whose feet are on the ground and you will use your powers to influence Israel (for good).