I woke up in a rainy Jerusalem, feeling excited about the day, but also tired. It had been a long week of travel and work, however exciting and inspiring. I did some work, then walked in the rain to the closest Aroma Café for breakfast.
Just then, I received a message from an IDF soldier I'd been planning to meet at the border with Lebanon: the ceasefire meant that the soldiers were on the move to secure various critical goals before the fighting would have to stop.
My plans were canceled. I was disappointed, but I wished him well. I didn't quite know how my day would change, so I went on with my schedule. I had coffee with a cousin who is involved in engineering projects throughout Israel; I spoke to the Misgav Institute of Zionist Strategies about U.S. policy towards Israel in the second Trump administration. (Short version: likely to be good, but take nothing for granted, and find creative ways to meet Trump's own policy needs.)
I learned two things: one, that there are conservatives in Israel thinking of offering Trump a gradual cessation of U.S. aid in exchange for recognition of Israeli sovereignty in key areas; two, all of our knowledge is still so limited.
I returned to my Airbnb and decided to take a nap (with the aid of two glasses of wine) and reset my internal clock to Los Angeles time. I woke, worked, and decided to go for a run -- to the Kotel and the Haas Promenade, for the view.
I ran for two and-a-half hours and savored the winter afternoon light of the city. I prayed at the Kotel; I enjoyed the golden light of the walls of the Old City; I marveled at the colors along the promenade as the sun dipped low.
I ran back, past the YMCA in its Christmas glory. I showered, packed, and drove to Modi'in for dinner with one of my cousins. Then I headed to the airport, and finally to the flight home, which is where I am writing this.
I had a thought at random at the Kotel: my war is over. I don't know what that means. After all, there are still hostages in Gaza, and major threats. But I feel a sense of completeness. Was it Trump's win? Or maybe just hope? I don't know.
I should have noted in my message about the weekly Torah portion that this week is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision. We are about to mourn -- but see through that pain to something better that lies beyond, on the other side.
Wishing you the best vision -- and an incredible reality to follow. It happens!
We begin the final speech of Moses to the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He relates the ups and downs of the years of wandering in the desert, before, finally, the people have the merit to enter the land itself.
This Sabbath always precedes Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both of the Holy Temples, and a catch-all for many calamities that befell the Jewish people.
A word on Tisha B'Av. This year I am leaving for an overseas trip during the afternoon of the holiday -- in the middle of a fast day. Not idea, but there was no other choice. But my flight is in the afternoon, which is significant.
We relax some of the harsh, mournful customs of the day in the afternoon. We start to pray normally; we sit on regular chairs; we start to have hope again in the redemption that will, one day, lead us all back from exile to our home.
I'll be taking a trip to a land where an important part of ...
President Trump is in Scotland, playing golf and making big trade deals -- a major deal with the EU, in fact. Meanwhile, there is a global outcry about humanitarian aid to Palestinians (not about the Israeli hostages, mind you).
On top of that, Democrats are at their lowest polling numbers ever -- so they are trying to win control of the House by redistricting in the middle of a 10-year Census cycle. Oh, economic optimism is up, so they have a tough road.
And Tulsi Gabbard's revelations about the Russia collusion investigation make it clear that Obama's lieutenants lied to Congress. How deeply was he himself involved? The media continue to ignore the evidence, but we certainly won't.
Special guests:
Nick Gilbertson - Breitbart News White House correspondent, on EU deal
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Trump abroad and Russia
John Spencer - urban warfare expert, on humanitarian aid and war in Gaza
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the ...
