This week's portion includes the most emotionally poignant moment of the entire Bible (in my view): the reunion of Joseph and his brothers, a moment so intense that Joseph has to banish his courtiers because he cannot restrain his emotions. It is the climactic moment of the greatest story ever told.
Notably, this moment comes about because Judah, the leader of the brothers, shows that they have repented for selling Joseph into slavery -- at Judah's own suggestion -- 22 years before by pleading that he himself be taken as a slave in place of Benjamin, who is also Joseph's fully biological brother.
There is a lovely commentary on the story that notes that Jacob was convinced to believe Joseph was still alive when he saw the wagons that had been sent from Egypt to collect him. In Hebrew, the word for "wagon" and "calf" are similar. The wagons were an allusion to a Jewish law about a calf sacrifice.
This sacrifice was done as an atonement for the community when a dead body was discovered but no killer or cause could be identified. The community itself would hold itself liable for failing to protect the individual. In that sense, though Joseph was not, in fact, dead, it was relevant to the story of his disappearance.
According to the Sages, the law of the "eglah arufah" was the last piece of Torah that Jacob and Joseph had studied together before the latter was sold into slavery (the commentators believe that the Torah was studied by the Patriarchs before it was given at Sinai). Hence Jacob was convinced his son was alive.
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
