Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • Travel • Writing
I will share my thoughts about American politics, as well as current events in Israel and elsewhere, based on my experiences in the U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East. I will also discuss books and popular culture from the perspective of a somewhat libertarian, religiously observant conservative living in California. I will also share art and ideas that I find useful and helpful, and link to my content at Breitbart News, Amazon, and elsewhere.
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Weekly Torah reading: Teztaveh and Shabbat Zachor (Exodus 27:20 - 30:10; Deuteronomy 25:17-19)

This week's portion focuses on the priestly vestments, adornments, and sacrifices, which Aaron and his sons must wear and perform, respectively. It is also the last Sabbath before the holiday of Purim, known as Shabbat Zachor.

That is because we are exhorted to remember how the evil nation of Amalek attacked the Israelites as they left Egypt. (We also read an additional reading from I Samuel about King Saul's war against the Amalekites and their king.)

The connection to Purim is that the bad guy, Haman, was a descendant of Amalek. We are supposed to remember Amalek as a general symbol of injustice, and as a specific antisemitic threat that arises in each generation.

These passages were recently used -- or, really, misread and abused -- against Israel by the South Africans in their case at the International Court of Justice. It was, ironically, proof that Amalek still exists and takes new forms today.

The commandment is not to wipe out Amalek but to remember what Amalek did. That is why Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu referred to the story to motivate Israeli soldiers: to remind them of the justice of their mission.

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading.asp?aid=2492667&jewish=Tetzaveh-Torah-Reading.htm&p=complete

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Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Weekly Torah reading: Shlach (Numbers 13:1 - 15:41)

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 ...

Weekly Torah portion: Beha'alotecha (Numbers 8:1 - 12:16)

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.

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading.asp?aid=2495737&jewish=Behaalotecha-Torah-Reading.htm&p=complete

Weekly Torah reading: Naso Numbers 4:21 - 7:89

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

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