The test of any administration's policy is whether it is accepted -- even reluctantly -- by its successors. Obamacare is here to stay, mostly because Republicans didn't have the heart to repeal it (though Trump got rid of the individual mandate to buy health insurance, the most constitutionally offensive part of the law.) Now, the Jerusalem embassy is permanent U.S. policy.
That became clear earlier this year with news that the Biden administration was abandoning plans to open a separate consulate for Palestinians in Jerusalem. The move was a strategic disaster, as it would have divided Jerusalem for diplomatic purposes and given Palestinians a claim on the city -- in return for nothing. It also violated international law, in terms of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, which requires host country approval of foreign missions.
Now the Jerusalem embassy is here to stay. Trump deserves a standing ovation. But more than Trump's leadership, the latest development simply confirms that the Jerusalem embassy reflects existing reality on the ground -- that Jerusalem is Israel's capital -- as well as the interests of the United States, without hurting the interests of Arab allies in the region, who are still making peace with Israel.
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
