This week's Torah portion features the final episode in the departure from Egypt: the crossing of the Red Sea. It also includes the many fascinating stories that follow -- the manna from Heaven, for example, and the people's first war.
The additional reading, from the Book of Prophets, tells the story of Deborah, the judge and prophetess who ruled Israel for a time in the period before the monarchy was established. The connection: Miriam leads the people in song at the Red Sea, and Deborah leads the people into battle against evil Sisera.
Sisera, in turn, meets his end at the hands of Yael, who tempts him into her tent and kills him while he is asleep. The Bible hints that she actually seduced him.
The Talmud wrestles with this episode. Several years ago, I wrote to a friend:
"The relevant passage is from the Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Horayot (Horayos), page 10b.
"The Talmud engages in a lengthy digression, which occurs in the midst of a discussion about the appropriate sacrifice to be offered by a leader of the nation to atone for certain kinds of sins. After wrestling with the fact that some righteous people suffer ill fortune and some wicked people enjoy good fortune, the Talmud eventually turns to the question of sins that are performed for noble purposes (i.e. the ends seem to justify the means).
"'Rav Nachman bar Yitzchak said: A transgression committed for the sake [of Heaven] is of greater merit than a mitzvah performed for ulterior motives.'
"The example they consider is that of Yael, whose story is told in Judges 4:17-22. According to the Biblical text, she entices the wicked general Sisera by offering him milk, then kills him while he is sleeping. But the Talmud suggests that Yael goes much further than that, suggesting that she has sex with Sisera seven times. The Talmud says that her transgression -- adultery -- is for the sake of Heaven and had a good result, and therefore is permissible. As to the question of whether she derives pleasure from her transgression, the Talmud decides that any pleasure she enjoys is incidental and not related to her actual motive. The Talmud concludes, carefully, that people should prefer doing good deeds even for ulterior motives; because eventually their motives will be correct. But it does excuse the rare example of Yael, among others."
An interesting thought contemplate -- though not, perhaps, to emulate!
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
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