I've been to many Republican conventions, but this is the first one at which it feels that victory is likely. It's an unusual feeling and worth savoring, because it is rare. In fact, I'm not sure we'll ever see a political week like this ever again.
Take the following recent sequence of events:
- Biden's debate collapse
- Calls by Democrats for Biden to drop out
- Trump survives attempted assassination after being shot
- Federal judge dismisses documents case against Trump
- Polls in swing states, and even some blue states, favor Trump
- Biden, trying to show stamina, comes down with COVID (I wish him well)
There is a profound sense of optimism in Milwaukee, as well as a feeling that the party is becoming more diverse while also coming together. And the theme of faith has also been consistent throughout the convention.
It feels like victory.
Highlights from the stage thus far: undoubtedly the Gold Star families of the 13 service members killed during the Afghanistan withdrawal; Peter Navarro, right out of prison, defiant against "lawfare"; Amber Rose on her political conversion; the Jewish religious student and the parents of an American-Israeli hostage.
JD Vance was solid, and took an interesting line: America is not just an "idea," as President Joe Biden likes to say; it is also a nation, a land, a people. I think that is the essence of "America First" populism, and it was refreshing to hear. His wife, Usha, is impressive, charming, authentic, and appropriately demure.
And President Donald Trump has yet to address the gathering. Tonight. Wow.
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
