This week's Torah portion tells the story of the failed rebellion of Korach, who led followers against Moses and Aaron after the people were turned away from the Promised Land. The rebellion's timing is instructive: leaders are at their weakest when they fail. But challenges also offer an opportunity to reassert authority and to make the necessary changes to lead more effectively in future.
This weekend, many Jews will also mark the 28th anniversary of the passing of the 7th Lubavitcher Rebbe, Menchaem Mendel Schneerson ("may his righteous memory be a blessing," as the honorific goes). His incredible leadership was the opposite of Korach. Instead of seeking the leadership position, he turned it away for a year, instead of seeking power for himself, he sought to uplift others.
I'm spending a second Shabbat in South Africa -- my last on this trip, and I'll be in Johannesburg. This country is still wonderful, but troubled by decades of poor leadership (following the exemplary leadership of the early 1990s). Likewise, in the U.S., we lack leadership -- and not just in the White House. There is much to study in this week's portion, and to learn from the Rebbe's example.
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 ...
