I always find New Year's messages a little difficult, partly because I'm usually so busy around this time of year that it's tough to stop and take stock of things -- to do a "spiritual accounting," as the Jewish phase goes ("cheshbon nefesh" ).
But let me say this: first, I am grateful for all the wonderful blessings our family has enjoyed. My daughter's bat mitzvah; my sister's new baby (my nephew), and now my own new baby boy, Rafael Micah. So many happy events in one year.
Then there is the war, which began a year ago and has haunted our lives, even here in the United States. I am grateful to have been able to travel to Israel often to write about things firsthand. Today, I feel confident of Israel's victory.
The U.S. election is looming, and while I usually feel nervous during election season, this time I am fairly confident that Trump will win. That will bring a kind of vindication, and open new possibilities, but there will be new challenges.
My own personal goals are to get my expanding waistline under control -- I have to figure out a new system, since I eat well and exercise. I also need to manage my finances more carefully in this inflationary environment.
I wish victory for all the forces of good in the world, comfort for the bereaved, and health and good fortune and love for all of the people in my life, especially those searching for the right partner, which is the greatest blessing in life.
This week's portion broadly covers the basic framework of a judicial system, necessary for the functioning of the society that the Israelites were to establish upon entering the Holy Land of Israel -- including "cities of refuge."
These cities were place where those guilty of involuntary manslaughter could flee to escape the righteous vengeance of their victims' families. They would be allowed to return to their homes upon the death of the High Priest.
It is curious that Biblical law is not particularly focused on incarceration, but does include this form of exile and quasi-imprisonment: you are free to leave the city of refuge, but then the "avenger" is entitled to kill you if he finds you.
In that way, the guilty party becomes his or her own jailer -- in a sense, imposing his or her own program of punishment and correction, taking charge of the repentance that is necessary to correct a deep personal flaw.
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This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
- Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
- Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
- Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
- DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV
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This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.
In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.
The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.
Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.
We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...
