I'm landing in L.A. in a couple of hours after an incredible trip to Israel. I feel optimistic about the country -- more so than at any point since October 7 -- despite the growing international pressure.
First -- it was incredible to witness firsthand the love that President Javier Milei brought for Israel and the Jewish people. I managed to cover most of his trip, including an unannounced Western Wall visit.
Second -- it was interesting to be in Israel the week that many of the reservists who had been mobilized Oct. 7 were released from duty after four months. Israelis are rebuilding their lives and their families.
Third -- it's the end of winter and the beginning of spring. There are signs of renewal -- the red poppies, the longer days. There's a new year unfolding and Israel is moving ahead. War, peace -- regardless.
I'm eager to be back with my family. But I will keep Israel in my heart. The fight ahead remains a long one -- not just in Gaza. But I feel that it is both a winnable and a worthy one, and I'm here to write about it.
This week’s portion launches the great story of Abraham, who is told to leave everything of his life behind — except his immediate family — and to leave for “the Land that I shall show you.”
There’s something interesting in the fact that Abraham is told to leave his father’s house, as if breaking away from his father’s life — but his father, in fact, began the journey, moving from Ur to Haran (in last week’s portion). His father set a positive example — why should Abraham leave him?
Some obvious answers suggest themselves — adulthood, needing to make one’s own choices, his father not going far enough, etc.
But I think there is another answer. Abraham (known for the moment as Abram) needs to establish his own household. This is not just about making one’s own choice, but really about choosing one’s own starting point. It’s starting over.
Sometimes we start over in fundamental ways even if much that surrounds us remains the same. Sometimes the journey we have to ...
The story of Noah is familiar; the details, less so.
Noah is often seen as an ambivalent figure. He was righteous -- but only for his generation. What was his deficiency?
One answer suggests itself: knowing that the world was about to be flooded, he built an Ark for the animals and for his own family -- but did not try to save anyone else or to convince them to repent and change their ways (the prophet Jonah, later, would share that reluctance).
Abraham, later, would set himself apart by arguing with God -- with the Lord Himself! -- against the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, saying that they should be saved if there were enough righteous people to be found (there were not).
Still, Noah was good enough -- and sometimes, that really is sufficient to save the world. We don't need heroes every time -- just ordinary decency.
Hi all -- as I noted last month, I'm going to be closing down my Locals page, at least for tips and subscriptions -- I may keep the page up and the posts as well, but I'm no longer going to be accepting any kind of payment.
Look for cancelation in the very near future. Thank you for your support!
