This week's portion begins what I consider the greatest story ever told by human beings: the journey of Joseph. It is the ultimate "prequel," the back story of the liberation of the Jewish people and the giving of the law. But it teaches us so much about faith, and dreams, and destiny, and basic human motivations.
Those familiar with Andrew Lloyd Webber's wonderful "Joseph" musical will recognize the story. But the Biblical text adds another layer of richness.
Toward the end of this week's portion, Joseph finds himself in prison, where he rises to a senior rank among inmates and is sought by others for his advice. He hears the dreams of Pharaoh's butler and baker, and interprets their fates.
When he predicts that the butler will be restored to his position, he asks that he remember Joseph once he is out of prison. The Jewish Sages suggest that Joseph erred by asking for a human favor, rather than trusting in God alone.
But I think Joseph's mistake -- for which, the Sages say, he spent another two years in prison -- had to do with the term he used to describe his prison: a "pit." This is not the only word in Hebrew to describe a jail; but it is is an uglier one.
Interestingly, the word "pit" also describes the place into which Joseph was put when his brothers assaulted him, and before they decided to sell him into slavery. In his own mind, Joseph negates the progress he has made since then.
He is so consumed by his present misfortunes that he forgets, for the moment, that he has grown through his travails -- or that he has the opportunity to do good for those around him. He fails to see the potential in his circumstances.
That is why he spends another two years in prison. It is only when he has the self-awareness and maturity to see the possibilities in every situation that he is ready to emerge -- and to help Pharaoh manage Egypt's coming famine.
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
