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.
This is my first broadcast from the new office and studio in Washington, DC, where I'll be for a couple of years my neighborhood back in L.A. cleans up -- and as we follow the Trump administration from a little closer up than usual.
Topics:
- The anniversary of the attempted assassination of President Donald Trump
- The escalating tariff battle with various different trading partners
- The future of the Middle East peace talks, and ongoing antisemitism
- The Jeffrey Epstein files and whether they mean anything at all
- The continued crisis of the Texas floods, and stories of heroism and survival
And more!
Special guests:
- James Rosen - Newsmax chief Washington correspondent
- Bob Price - Breitbart News Texas reporter, on the ongoing floods
- Robert Cahill - Trafalgar Polling, on a new alliance of reliable pollsters
- Rabbi Yaakov Menken - Coalition for Jewish Values - on Israel & antisemitism
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.
I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”
This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.
I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?
The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.
The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!
...
