Benjamin Netanyahu just delivered a stunning speech about peace at the United Nations. I must admit that I choked up at several points. This is an incredible speech and will be remembered by history.
https://x.com/netanyahu/status/1705233834705379535?s=20
Moreover, it comes at the end of a week in which Israeli commentators on both the left and the right are declaring Netanyahu's visit to the U.S. a success. He charmed Silicon Valley; he won an invite to the White House; he made Zelensky happy; and the Saudi Crown prince said all the right things (and left out all the right things) on Fox News. This is a turning point for Netanyahu.
By that, I mean two things. One: Netanyahu now has a chance of achieving a real peace with Saudi Arabia, and doing so independent of whoever is in control of the White House, whether Trump or Biden.
Two: Netanyahu's status has been enhanced, such that he will return home having been recognized as a statesman, not a pariah -- despite the Israeli opposition spending money in the U.S. to protest his visit.
It is possible that Netanyahu will return in further command of his coalition, and with the advantage on the issue of judicial reform, where he may be able to secure a broad political agreement.
And as for the corruption charges against him... what about that?
Truly, an inspiring display of leadership and vision, overcoming incredible threats and challenges, internal and external.
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
