This week's portion begins with the law of the "first fruits," which farmers are required to bring to the Holy Temple as a donation and sacrifice. The law is given to the people of Israel as they are about to cross the Jordan River.
The bulk of the portion is devoted to describing the blessing on the one hand, and the curse on the other, that the Torah says will be the consequence of following, or not following, God's commandments. Cause and effect.
There is an interesting section in which the task of reciting the blessing and the curse is divided among the tribes, with half reciting the blessings, and the other half reciting the curses, as they stand on opposing mountaintops.
This form of re-enactment, including the task of representing an idea with which you may not agree, is a familiar pedagogical tool from law school -- and it's interesting to see it used thousands of years ago, in Deuteronomy.
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.
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the shutdown
- John Carney - Breitbart News financial editor, on the upcoming jobs report
- Jerome Hudson - Breitbart News entertainment editor, on the Kimmel fallout
- Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on the UN and Gaza talks
- Matisyahu - award-winning reggae artist, on his new album, "Ancient Child"
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
