This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
I had an additional thought over the Sabbath as I read the text of the Torah portion. This is, of course, the portion in which Moses sees the burning bush: "[A]nd behold, the thorn bush was burning with fire, but the thorn bush was not being consumed." (Exodus 3:2)
There are all kinds of commentaries on that passage. Rashi, who lived 1,000 years ago, asked why God chose to show Himself to Moses in a lowly bush, rather than a high tree. The answer: He wanted to show that He was with His people in their suffering, at their lowest point.
Other commentaries say that the bush is a metaphor for the Children of Israel: though we suffer, we are not destroyed.
I have had the thought since the Palisades Fire that although our neighborhood was destroyed, our community was not. We are still in touch through WhatsApp, social media, and in person. We are helping each other. And the people of Los Angeles are also standing with us.
We are the bush that burns, but is not consumed.
Here is the video ...
This is the first reading of Exodus, which is the story that defines the identity of the Jewish people, and the template for liberation for humanity for thousands of years. The portion begins with Moses's origin and ends with his early confrontations with Pharaoh -- which go badly, as Pharaoh increases their burden.
My favorite line here is the last: "God said to Moses, 'Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: that because of My strong hand he will send them forth, and indeed, he will forcibly drive them out of his land.' (Exodus 6:1)
This line has inspired me in low moments. When it seems that your first steps end in failure, just wait -- God is about to show you what he can really do.
