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.
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 ...
All about the Palisades fire, which I escaped, fought, and survived.
Plus: Avi Melanie’s on Lebanon and the Israeli hostages.
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This is a draft of a piece for Ami magazine about my experience in the Palisades fire. It was written for a Jewish audience and includes my insights about this past week's Torah portion -- sorry that I did not manage to make my usual update.
The Palisades Fire
Joel B. Pollak
Tuesday, January 7, began as a typical day in the beautiful Pacific Palisades. We had been warned about extreme winds, so before taking my three-year-old to Gan Israel preschool, I checked everything outside our house that might blow away or break. I took down our American flag and my son’s pitching net. I drove to Santa Monica, dropped my daughter off, went to the gym, and stopped at the Starbucks to check my email before heading home.
Our nanny suddenly sent a text message to me and my wife. She had been walking our three-month-old infant around the neighborhood and she smelled smoke. She could also see a column of smoke nearby. She said she was returning to the house to protect the baby. I sensed that this was a potentially dangerous situation so I...
