In the aftermath of 9/11, we were constantly told by the media and by Democrats that dissent was the highest form of patriotism. They (we, since I was still a Democrat) were worried that the attack would work to Bush's benefit.
21 years later, we are constantly told by the media and by Democrats that dissent is a form of treason. And this year, we were told that Trump supporters and Republicans are the same as, or worse than, the 9/11 terrorist hijackers.
This was the theme on countless Sunday morning news panels, and all over social media, from talking heads but also from national leaders like Hillary Clinton and Kamala Harris. So much for the unifying symbolism of 9/11.
It's possible that the "talking points" went out at some point, either from the Biden Administration -- fresh off his awful Philadelphia speech -- or from one of the left-wing institutions where power really lies under this government.
But given the way the left thinks about the world, it was almost inevitable that they would try this tactic. Skeptical of patriotism when in opposition, the left embraces it opportunistically as a weapon against its opponents when in power.
This really is a low point in American history -- not just because of our divisions, but because the left is so far-gone down the rabbit hole of its own ideology that all it has is the kind of demagoguery we are forced to live with on a regular basis.
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
