This week, we begin looking ahead to the midterms in a serious way. Are Republicans blowing it? The Senate is looking bad, and even the big House win that the GOP expected seems to be fading -- if polls are to be believed.
On the other hand, Republican voters are energized by the Mar-a-Lago raid fiasco. This coming week, the DOJ will have to figure out which parts of the affidavit it wants to redact -- and the public may learn some of what was in it.
We'll talk about the future of CNN, after the sacking of Brian Stelter and the cancelation of Reliable Sources, one of the most ironic names for any show on television. Plus we'll consider the media's portrayal of Liz Cheney as a heroine.
We'll chat with Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) about the so-called "Inflation Reduction Act," and its consequences. We'll also talk about the upcoming NFL season, and whether the league can be rescued from its wokeness -- or the latest scandal over Deshaun Watson. And with kids going back to school, we'll discuss a proposal by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to use retired police to fill in the gaps.
Guests:
Mark Mitchell -- of Rasmussen polling, on the upcoming midterm elections
Dylan Gwinn -- sports editor of Breitbart News, on the NFL season
Tim Graham -- of Media Research Center, on CNN and Liz Cheney
Michael Letts -- of InVest USA, to discuss retired police as teachers
Rep. Jim Banks (R-OH) -- on the "Inflation Reduction Act" and the economy
Tune in: SiriusXM 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
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
