It’s been an eventful few weeks. One of the stories dominating the news has been the debacle in Afghanistan. Without question, it is one of the most humiliating moments in American history. You will be able to read more about who is to blame and the geopolitical impact elsewhere. Last Shabbos was Shabbas Shuvah. It was also the 20th anniversary of 9/11, which led to the war in Afghanistan. It is an appropriate time to think about what the war in Afghanistan can teach us about our personal lives as we reflect on our mistakes of the past and commit ourselves to a year of growth in Torah and mitzvos.

Thanks to the prevalence of social media and the 24-hour news cycle, the public is now privy to opinions most people would only say behind closed doors.  A desire to shout your feelings to the world combined with the capabilities of a handheld device in the privacy of your own home has yielded some incredible results from a wide variety of officials.

As the summer dwindles down and the seasons start to change, school buses won’t be the only things kicking into gear. Fall means a renewed political cycle, and even though the President, Senate, or House of Representatives are not on the ballot, it doesn’t mean that you are not affected. In many ways, this November affects your life far more than 2020 did or 2024 will.

On November 4, 1979, 52 Americans were taken hostage in Iran, prompting international outrage and nonstop media coverage.  The nightly news gave consistent reports, and ABC began the show that would eventually become “Nightline.”  For 444 days, the hostages were on the minds of every single American. But when Joe Biden left hundreds of hostages for the Taliban in Afghanistan, America forgot within a week.

After the cataclysmic debacle of the fall of Afghanistan to the Taliban, Joe Biden took a break from his vacation to address the American people. In his speech, he blamed Trump and the Afghanis, but the blame is his. Then he refused to take questions from the media and went back on his vacation. America does not have a leader.