This Sabbath is a unique one: not only do we read the usual weekly portion, but we also add additional readings for the new month of Tevet. Three separate Torah scrolls are typically required, so it is a very special confluence of events.
The portion tells the second part of the story of Joseph, when he interprets Pharaoh's dreams and is made second-in-command of Egypt; and when his brothers come to buy food and do not recognize the man they sold into slavery.
There are many fascinating aspects of this story, but one that is intriguing seems almost to be a narrative inconsistency. The brothers seem to assume that Joseph is Egyptian, but he does not dine with the other Egyptians.
The Egyptians know he is a Hebrew, and they do not dine with Hebrews -- whether Joseph, or his brothers. So Joseph dines at his own table. Perhaps the brothers assumed that was because of his status -- but did they not get a hint?
Just a question, among many... and that is the continuing joy of this portion, which I enjoyed in theatrical form in Toronto this week at a production of *Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat." It remains so wonderful.
I should have noted in my message about the weekly Torah portion that this week is Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision. We are about to mourn -- but see through that pain to something better that lies beyond, on the other side.
Wishing you the best vision -- and an incredible reality to follow. It happens!
We begin the final speech of Moses to the people of Israel before they enter the Promised Land. He relates the ups and downs of the years of wandering in the desert, before, finally, the people have the merit to enter the land itself.
This Sabbath always precedes Tisha B'Av, the Ninth of Av, the saddest day on the Jewish calendar. It is the anniversary of the destruction of both of the Holy Temples, and a catch-all for many calamities that befell the Jewish people.
A word on Tisha B'Av. This year I am leaving for an overseas trip during the afternoon of the holiday -- in the middle of a fast day. Not idea, but there was no other choice. But my flight is in the afternoon, which is significant.
We relax some of the harsh, mournful customs of the day in the afternoon. We start to pray normally; we sit on regular chairs; we start to have hope again in the redemption that will, one day, lead us all back from exile to our home.
I'll be taking a trip to a land where an important part of ...
President Trump is in Scotland, playing golf and making big trade deals -- a major deal with the EU, in fact. Meanwhile, there is a global outcry about humanitarian aid to Palestinians (not about the Israeli hostages, mind you).
On top of that, Democrats are at their lowest polling numbers ever -- so they are trying to win control of the House by redistricting in the middle of a 10-year Census cycle. Oh, economic optimism is up, so they have a tough road.
And Tulsi Gabbard's revelations about the Russia collusion investigation make it clear that Obama's lieutenants lied to Congress. How deeply was he himself involved? The media continue to ignore the evidence, but we certainly won't.
Special guests:
Nick Gilbertson - Breitbart News White House correspondent, on EU deal
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Trump abroad and Russia
John Spencer - urban warfare expert, on humanitarian aid and war in Gaza
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the ...
