Welcome back to summer! The first show of Daylight Savings Time is here.
President Donald Trump impressed the nation with his address to Congress this week -- and Democrats had no idea how to respond. But now is when the proverbial rubber hits the road. Will his shake-up of DC benefit Americans?
Democrats are beginning to make the case that Trump's tariffs and cuts to government are going to hurt the economy. Even the uncertainty of his style, they say, will hurt. Republicans know they can only blame Biden for so long.
Meanwhile, in L.A., the cleanup from the Palisades and Eaton fires continues. We're nearing a critical point, when people will have to decide whether they can rebuild -- or whether they will have to sell because the costs are too high.
We'll also interview a Bay Area legend, conservative radio host Michael Savage, about his interview with Governor Gavin Newsom on his podcast (which, with Charlie Kirk, has already caused some problems for Newsom).
The week ahead will feature key votes on Trump's budget -- and for his agenda generally. Democrats are trying to avoid saying how they will vote, and whether they will really shut down the government over DOGE.
Special guests:
John Carney -- Breitbart News financial editor, on the economy
Kathryn Barger -- L.A. County Supervisor, on the recovery from the fires
Nick Gilbertson -- Breitbart News White House correspondent, on the Oval
Michael Savage -- radio legend, on his interview on Gavin Newsom's podcast
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET
Call: 866-957-2874
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
