This week's portion includes many different commandments -- from a system of counting the people for Temple service, to prohibitions on adultery.
One of the most important passages describes the words of the priestly blessing: "May the Lord bless you and watch over you. May the Lord cause His countenance to shine to you and favor you. May the Lord raise His countenance toward you and grant you peace." (Numbers 6: 24-26)
I say these blessings over my children every Friday night. I was also witness to an amazing coincidence involving these blessings at my wedding in 2009.
In a traditional Jewish wedding, prior to the ceremony, the wife holds court on her own, greeting the guests before her groom appears and covers her face with her veil. It is customary for the parents of the bride and groom to bless her.
My parents stepped forward and blessed my bride, in Hebrew. And then, lo and behold, my wife's grandfather, a Christian pastor, stepped forward and gave her exactly the same blessing -- in English. This was entirely unplanned.
It was an incredible coincidence -- or maybe not such a coincidence -- and remains one of my best memories of the wedding. I am able to re-live that memory every Friday night, when I recite those words at my Sabbath table.
Today's episode is devoted to the second anniversary of the October 7 terror attacks. It was produced before the announcement of a ceasefire deal, yet remains current & relevant.
Please listen, and #bringthemhome.
SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET (4-7 PT)
This week's portion is a beautiful poem, containing the Covenant between God and the people of Israel. But given the breaking news that Hamas may actually have agreed to release all of the Israeli hostages, I will devote my remarks to that.
One hopes it is true; if so, it makes this week's additional reading, from II Samuel 22, even more relevant: David's song of praise to the Lord for delivering him from the hand of his enemies.
"18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
19 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,
but the Lord was my support."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
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