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 that journey took place -- both the destruction and the revival, a land where the Holocaust began, amid visions of a better future, of statehood, freedom, and thriving.
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!
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 ...
This double portion is the last reading from the Book of Numbers, or Bamidbar. This particular week, it doubles as the holiday of Rosh Chodesh, the head of the month, inaugurating the sad-then-happy month of Av.
The portion begins with a review of the law of vows and their nullification. It then covers the final preparations for entering the Land of Israel. The first order of business: revenge against the Midianites. Then: a deal with three tribes who wished to claim well-watered territories east of the Jordan River.
Finally: the demarcation of tribal boundaries within Israel, and a review of the commandments regarding such geographic issues as cities of refuge.
Why is it important to begin with the laws of nullifying vows? It might seem counterintuitive, given that the Jewish people are about to renew their covenant with God by entering into, and conquering, and living in, the Land.
My answer: We sometimes begin with the terms for dissolving a relationship in order to discover the ...
