This week's portion tells the story of Isaac and Rebecca -- with. focus on the rivalry between their twin sons, Jacob and Esau. Esau, the first-born, famously sells Jacob his birthright for a mess of porridge, a transaction Jacob seals by tricking Isaac into giving him the blessing of abundance meant for Esau.
I heard a rabbi recently say that this portion features poor child-raising practices, in that the parents each have a favorite child. Rebecca intervenes to help Jacob; Isaac favors Esau because of the game meat he brings him to eat.
But I disagree. If one child really is disruptive to the other -- as Esau may have been to Jacob -- then a responsible parent has to protect the vulnerable one. You have to treat children equally for equal behavior; however, you should not treat different behavior the same. And the Torah makes clear that while Esau's behavior had its real merits, Jacob practiced the more virtuous lifestyle.
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
