This week's portion focuses on the laws of ritual purification for a person -- or an object -- that is stricken with an ailment called "tzara'at." Commonly translated as "leprosy," this is really a different kind of disfigurement -- one that denotes spiritual uncleanness, not viral, bacterial, or fungal infection. The portion also includes the laws for purification for other reasons, such as a woman's normal menstrual cycle. This remains a part of religious life today. (The menstrual cycle does not include tzaraa't; it is not the same kind of problem, though some of the rituals are the same for renewing one's spiritual status.)
Those with tzara'at are generally disqualified from doing many things in society until they can be purified again. That is why the additional reading, from the book of King (Kings II 7:3-20), is so remarkable. IT tells the story of four lepers who had been banished from the city of Samaria, and then saved it from an Aramean siege by inadvertently frightening off the enemy soldiers' camp.
The lesson: there is spiritual potential in each of us to do great good, even when we are down and out, even when we might be responsible for our own isolation. Deeply flawed though we may be, we can still achieve miracles for our society.
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
