This week, we begin the Book of Deuteronomy, which is a recapitulation of the drama of the first four books of the Torah. It is also Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision, which precedes the fast day of Tisha B'Av.
The portion is a concise summary of Moses's leadership during 40 years of wandering through the desert, from the disappointment of the 12 spies when the Israelites first reached the land, to the appointment of Joshua as leader.
Tisha B'Av mourns the destruction of the two Holy Temples, and many other tragedies that befell the Jewish people. The fast will begin just before the end of the Sabbath; we will read the book of Lamentations in synagogues worldwide.
Tradition holds that the Sabbath before Tisha B'Av allows one the vision to see the redemptive era of the future, when the Third Temple will be restored. One has the ability to break out of mental prisons of all other kinds, as well.
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/703951/jewish/Shabbat-Chazon.htm
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
