Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • Travel • Writing
I will share my thoughts about American politics, as well as current events in Israel and elsewhere, based on my experiences in the U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East. I will also discuss books and popular culture from the perspective of a somewhat libertarian, religiously observant conservative living in California. I will also share art and ideas that I find useful and helpful, and link to my content at Breitbart News, Amazon, and elsewhere.
Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
Weekly Torah reading: Vayera (Genesis 18:1 - 22:24)

This week's portion tells the story of the birth and boyhood of Isaace, from the promise of the angels to the binding of Isaac for sacrifice on Mount Moriah. In between we the end of Sodom and Gomorrah, and the wells of Be'er Sheva.

In a portion with many famous passages, perhaps the most famous is Abraham's argument with God, in which he challenges the Lord to act in accordance with his own principles, and spare the city of Sodom for the sake of the innocent.

Ultimately, there are not enough innocent people -- even Lot behaves rather strangely -- and the city is destroyed. There is a later parallel to this story, and to the behavior of the Sodomites, at the end of the book of Judges (19-21).

There is also a parallel, told in the additional Haftarah reading (Kings II 4:1-37), of the Prophet Elisha and the good Shunemmitess, whom he promises a son -- and whom he later assists by bringing his son back from apparent death to life.

I once heard Aviva Zornberg say in a lecture that the child who is resurrected is the Prophet Jonah, and that his prayer in the belly of the whale is a recounting of his experience of being dead until he was revived through Elisha's assistance.

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading.asp?aid=2492488&jewish=Vayera-Torah-Reading.htm&p=complete

Interested? Want to learn more about the community?
What else you may like…
Videos
Posts
Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Breitbart News Sunday; show rundown (October 5, 2025)

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)

Weekly Torah reading: Ha'azinu (Deuteronomy 32:1-52)

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."

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading.asp?aid=2495834&jewish=Haazinu-Torah-Reading.htm&p=complete

Breitbart News Sunday: September 28, 2028

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

See More
Available on mobile and TV devices
google store google store app store app store
google store google store app tv store app tv store amazon store amazon store roku store roku store
Powered by Locals