...sort of. It was a school play, and one of the kids was dressed in drag (a boy, playing a large matron). It was humorous, and harmless, and also a lot of fun.
I think that part of the problem with these debates is that each side is shooting with birdshot rather than range bullets -- hitting a broad sweep of targets when there is really one problem that they are angry about, ensuring an angry reply.
Parents are upset that LGBT activists seem to be sexualizing and indoctrinating kids. LGBT advocates (including some parents) are worried that any expression of alternative sexuality or identity is being attacked, which is a form of bullying.
Theoretically, everyone cares about the kids -- at least, this who are sincerely participating in the debate. But we can't come to an agreement, because kids evoke all kids of protective emotional responses -- and because we're sloppy.
As I was reminded last night, some drag shows in school-- as long as they're not sexual in nature -- are fun, entertaining, and may even serve an educational purpose (in this case, keeping the audience interested in a play about history).
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
