I'm writing from a snow-covered town just a couple hours' drive up the mountain from Los Angeles. I've decided to work from here for a couple of days, since my kids are out of school and have only seen snow once before -- and they've never actually seen it falling from the sky (we came up in January after there were already 2-3 feet on the ground). A rare opportunity to go sledding, build snowmen, and throw snowballs. (We're not yet a skiing family.)
We feel so blessed in many ways, and the snow is an additional blessing. California is in the midst of a terrible drought. Without adequate rain this winter, we will almost certainly have to ration water. Just over a week ago, the forecast for the holiday weeks was predicted sunny, cool and dry weather. Then something shifted and we've had more rainy days than sunny ones. If this keeps up, it might actually break the drought. So we're celebrating the rain -- and what we are told will be about a foot of snow tomorrow.
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
