The Hebrew title for this portion means "The Life of Sarah," and yet the narrative commences at her death. True, we can only measure a person's life fully once he or she has died; yet it still seems odd.
We find some clues to the title in the story that follows. Abraham secures Sarah's burial ground, purchasing the Cave of Machpelah (making the Torah a title deed for the Jewish people to the holy city of Hebron). He also secures a wife for his son, sending his servant to find Rebecca. In a scene that will be repeated in several subsequent courtships (Jacob and Rachel, Moses and Zipporah), the maiden appears at a well and demonstrates her generosity by offering water to Eliezer -- and to his animals as well.
In that sense, the narrative is about the "life" of Sarah because it demonstrates that her legacy, both physical and moral, continued long after her death. That, in a sense, is the true measure of a life: what it creates, the legacy a human being leaves behind.
The accompanying additional reading, or Haftarah, is from Kings I 1:1-31, and tells the story of David's passing, as he confirms his promise to give the kingdom to Solomon, the son of Bathsheba. Though David's love with Bathsheba was conceived in lust, and in sin, it had a Divine purpose -- one of several such examples in the Old Testament.
This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
- Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
- Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
- Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
- DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV
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Call: 866-957-2874
This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.
In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.
The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.
Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.
We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...
We have so much to talk about this week -- Trump's efforts to negotiate peace through negotiation, and Gavin Newsom's efforts to divide Americans through gerrymandering. We'll also talk about Playboy leaving LA and California.
Special guests:
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Russia & Ukraine
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on Newsom
Harmeet Dhillon - DOJ Civil Rights Division chief, on the fight against DEI
Jessica Vaugn - Playboy model on political commentator, on California
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 PT
Call: 866-957-2874
