Democrats have become deeply intolerant of opposing views. Not every Democrat, but many of them. I know many Republicans who feel they have to hide their politicos censor themselves around family, friends, and colleagues -- while Democrats often feel it is their prerogative to force their ideological beliefs onto everyone else, and call them "racist" if they dare to disagree.
A new survey by Axios confirms earlier, similar polls that show conservatives are afraid to share their views, and liberals are not. The new poll, among young Americans, shows that many Democrats don't want to have anything to do with people who have different views, while most Republicans are okay with diversity. 37% of Democrats in the survey would not have a friend with Republican views; only 5% of Republicans said the same about Democrats.
When people talk about the divide in American politics, it is becoming increasingly clear where that divide comes from, and who is driving it. It's not a "divide"; it's a constant, relentless attack by the left on the right, and on the rare occasion when the right pushes back, that's called "divisive" by the media. That's why Joe Biden can't unify the country, as promised: his policies, and his rhetoric, and his party, are fully committed to a divisive agenda.
https://www.axios.com/poll-political-polarization-students-a31e9888-9987-4715-9a2e-b5c448ed3e5a.html
This is the portion that all journalists should love: the Torah tells the story of the 12 spies, only two of whom tell the truth when the other ten shade it in a negative away (perhaps to suit a political agenda that is opposed to Moses).
It's not that the ten "lying" spies misconstrue the facts about the Land of Israel; rather, they interject their opinions that the land is impossible to conquer, which strikes unnecessary terror into the hearts of the people.
We have many examples of such fake news today -- from the Iranian propaganda outlets spreading false claims that they are winning the war, to California politicians spreading false horror stories about ICE raids in L.A.
The people realize, too late, that they have been fooled, and once they are condemned to die in the desert, they try to rush into Israel -- only to be defeated by the inhabitants, as the spies predicted that they would be.
But as consolation, God gives the people new commandments -- focused on things they must ...
This week's portion discusses the procedure for lighting the menorah, the holy seven-branched lamp, in the Tabernacle (and later the Temple). It also describes an episode where the people crave meat, and God punishes them by giving it to them in excess. We also read the story of Miriam, Moses's sister, who is punished with the spiritual skin blemish of tzara'at for speaking about her brother, thus violating the prohibition against lashon hara (evil tongue).
I heard a fantastic sermon this week about the lighting of the menorah: that while only the priests were qualified to clean and purify the menorah, anyone could light it. A reminder that each of us can inspire others along the way.
This week we study the vow of the Nazirite; a reminder that sometimes trying to be too holy is excessive, and the best we can do is to be the best that we are.
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading_cdo/aid/2495720/p/complete/jewish/Naso-Torah-Reading.htm
