I came here to cover the war and water issues, but I also came here to answer my own questions about whether Israel will survive. Even after so many visits, when you read about the threats Israel is facing, and the pressure it is under… you wonder.
I attended a gathering of survivors of the October 7 attacks; dropped in on a group of visiting legislators who are facing tough opposition to Israel from their young constituents; returned to the communities of Kibbutz Be’eri and Kibbutz Nir Oz; covered a Passover seder in honor of the remaining hostages in Gaza; met mourners at the Supernova memorial site; took in the broad vista at Kibbutz Har’el; and found joy again at an Idan Raichel Project concert.
I think the answer to my questions is that Israel’s survival remains a miracle, one that spreads love and light to the world, to those who wish to see.
This double portion is the last reading from the Book of Numbers, or Bamidbar. This particular week, it doubles as the holiday of Rosh Chodesh, the head of the month, inaugurating the sad-then-happy month of Av.
The portion begins with a review of the law of vows and their nullification. It then covers the final preparations for entering the Land of Israel. The first order of business: revenge against the Midianites. Then: a deal with three tribes who wished to claim well-watered territories east of the Jordan River.
Finally: the demarcation of tribal boundaries within Israel, and a review of the commandments regarding such geographic issues as cities of refuge.
Why is it important to begin with the laws of nullifying vows? It might seem counterintuitive, given that the Jewish people are about to renew their covenant with God by entering into, and conquering, and living in, the Land.
My answer: We sometimes begin with the terms for dissolving a relationship in order to discover the ...
This week, we'll cover a wide variety of topics -- from the economy, to what's next on Capitol Hill after the "Big, Beautiful Bill," to the Middle East, and to the continuation of "lawfare." Is Tulsi Gabbard out for revenge against a "treasonous" former Obama administration? (That's a big word.)
Special guests:
Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent
Dylan Gwinn -- Breitbart News sports editor, on Trump and the Redskins
Alex Swoyer -- journalist and former Breitbart News colleague, on law fare.
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This week's portion is named for Pinchas, who was a priest who saved the Children of Israel by killing a prince and a Midianite woman while they were in the throes of passion (as part of a Midianite plot to undermine Israel).
Pinchas is seen as a hero, but this story has always bothered me, for obvious reasons. I'm going to go out on a limb here and opine that there are limits to religious zealotry. We Jews, too, need to practice the tolerance we expect.
I'm upset about recent incidents in which Jewish extremists -- who represent a really tiny minority of Israelis, but who have been unrestrained lately -- have confronted Palestinians, including Christians, and caused unnecessary harm.
I'm also very concerned about the fact that the religious community in Israel has been able to thwart the great public desire to integrate that community through military service. There is probably no greater moral threat to Israel.
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