This week's portion tells the story of the deal that three tribes made with Moses: they liked the land in Transjordan so much that they preferred to stay there rather than crossing into the Land of Israel. Moses agreed, on condition that they lead the Israelites into battle against the Canaanites. They did so.
The deal is portrayed as an unfortunate necessity, a concession to the stubborn nature of the people and the sinful nature of humankind in general, who would rather have instant gratification than fulfill a Heavenly mission. But the deal preserves the Divine spark of that mission, even in an earthly compromise.
The portion then recounts the journeys of the Israelites through the desert, until the final point of departure, across the Jordan River from Jericho. The Torah names the leaders that will guide the people after Moses's death, including Joshua, who was named as Moses's successor in the previous portion.
Then God gives specific commandments about setting aside land for the priestly tribe of Levites, plus the need to create four "cities of refuge" for exiling those who commit involuntary manslaughter. The rules for inheritance are also discussed; they provide that land shall not leave a tribe through marriage.
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
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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!
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