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 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
