This week's Torah portion recounts the story of the giving of the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai. Curiously, though, it is not named "Sinai," or "Ten Commandments," or even "Moses," but "Yitro," or "Jethro," referring to the father-in-law of Moses, who helped him delegate judicial authority.
The Ten Commandments include an injunction to honor your mother and father. It does not mention mothers- or fathers-in-law. Therefore it is even more curious that the portion is named for an in-law. It could be a sign that in-laws are to be included in the general category of honored parents.
Another possibility is that the Torah is telling us that in-laws have a different, but no less important, role to play. We all know the jokes about fraught relationships with in-laws; these can be difficult relationships, and usually lack the intimacy of relationships between biological parents and children.
At the same time, in-laws can offer their own unique insights, and are worth learning from, even if there is some emotional distance -- and even if, as in this case, Jethro is from a different group, and practiced (at one point) a different religion. The Torah is telling us that in-laws deserve a special kind of respect.
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
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
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
