This week, we read the story of the twelve spies that were sent by Moses to scout out the Land of Israel. Ten of them brought back an evil report, saying that while the land was good, the Israelites would never manage to conquer it. Two brought back a good report, saying that while there were challenges, the Israelites would manage to prevail, with God fighting on their side. The majority prevailed; the Israelites lost heart, and spent 40 years wandering thereafter.
This weekend, my family and I are in Cape Town, South Africa, to observe the memorial for my mother-in-law, Rhoda Kadalie. She was many things -- a scholar in anthropology, a social development expert, and a political activist. She was best known, however, as a writer. In her columns, she spared no one -- always telling the truth. She was deeply critical of the government, but was also optimistic -- and in her "day job," was actually helping it achieve its goals.
Rhoda was like the two "good" spies, Joshua and Caleb. She would tell the truth, regardless of the consequences. And she believed that most problems could be overcome with the right leadership. She was never afraid to be in the minority. That is the lesson of this week's portion: that while the majority may seem like a safer option, it is the worst option when the majority is wrong. Rhoda's example continues to inspire me, and I am looking forward to sharing it with the world.
I should have noted in my message about the weekly Torah portion that this week is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision. We are about to mourn -- but see through that pain to something better that lies beyond, on the other side.
Wishing you the best vision -- and an incredible reality to follow. It happens!
We begin the final speech of Moses to the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He relates the ups and downs of the years of wandering in the desert, before, finally, the people have the merit to enter the land itself.
This Sabbath always precedes Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both of the Holy Temples, and a catch-all for many calamities that befell the Jewish people.
A word on Tisha B'Av. This year I am leaving for an overseas trip during the afternoon of the holiday -- in the middle of a fast day. Not idea, but there was no other choice. But my flight is in the afternoon, which is significant.
We relax some of the harsh, mournful customs of the day in the afternoon. We start to pray normally; we sit on regular chairs; we start to have hope again in the redemption that will, one day, lead us all back from exile to our home.
I'll be taking a trip to a land where an important part of ...
President Trump is in Scotland, playing golf and making big trade deals -- a major deal with the EU, in fact. Meanwhile, there is a global outcry about humanitarian aid to Palestinians (not about the Israeli hostages, mind you).
On top of that, Democrats are at their lowest polling numbers ever -- so they are trying to win control of the House by redistricting in the middle of a 10-year Census cycle. Oh, economic optimism is up, so they have a tough road.
And Tulsi Gabbard's revelations about the Russia collusion investigation make it clear that Obama's lieutenants lied to Congress. How deeply was he himself involved? The media continue to ignore the evidence, but we certainly won't.
Special guests:
Nick Gilbertson - Breitbart News White House correspondent, on EU deal
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Trump abroad and Russia
John Spencer - urban warfare expert, on humanitarian aid and war in Gaza
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the ...
