This week's reading covers the various implements and practices of the priesthood, which is handed down from Aaron to his sons and their descendants (the Cohanim), who still bless Jews today.
There is an extra reading that is linked to the upcoming Jewish holiday of Purim -- a selection from Deuteronomy that exhorts the people to remember the evil done by the nation of Amalek.
The connection to Purim is that Haman, the villain of the Book of Esther who tried to destroy the Jewish people, is thought to be a descendant of Amalek -- whom King Saul declined to eliminate.
The additional reading from the Prophets comes from I Samuel 15:1-34, and recalls the sin committed by Saul when he declined to execute the king of Amalek, perhaps showing mercy as a fellow royal.
On this Sabbath -- the Sabbath preceding Purim -- we are always commanded both to remember Amalek and to remove Amalek from memory. This seemingly contradictory command is hard to reconcile.
As with the Nazis -- who had to be destroyed, even as we remember them in Holocaust museums -- the story of Amalek is a story about the persistence of evil even in a word created by a God who is Good.
This is the final edition of THE AGENDA -- finished a few days early!
This week's portion elucidates some of the first laws and principles of the Torah that follow the Ten Commandments, including -- a message particularly relevant to freed slaves -- the Jewish restrictions on indentured servitude.
God also provides the basic civil laws of Jewish society, governing almost every area of life -- in this one portion! -- as well as several basic principles of faith and religious observance. Moses then ascends Sinai for 40 days.
One of the laws God gives is the law against taunting a foreigner. This is different from allowing people to enter your land illegally; it is about showing respect, however, for people from other lands and other groups.
I am reminded of the importance of this principle because of the rhetoric lately attacking Elon Musk, a fellow South African-turned-American, for his foreign roots -- often by people who favor illegal immigration, ironically.
...
Since the Palisades Fire on January 7, my posts have been fairly sparse. I have just been so busy -- fighting the fire, covering the fire, helping neighbors, and launching a new podcast, "Three Homeless Guys," with two local friends.
Things are up and down. My family is still displaced, and we haven't resolved our living situation. We are awaiting answers from the insurance company (State Farm) on what they will cover, including alternative living expenses.
There are some incredible opportunities opening up -- more on that later -- and our kids are generally doing well, though this has been hard for them as well (especially the two middle kids, who miss their friends and their house).
The emotion of it all hit me yesterday. Today I feel wrung out. But I also feel that, in a way, going through the fire has been a process of refinement, of re-casting in a new mould, to face new challenges. And to win each new day.
So much to talk about, once again, as the Trump administration continues at breakneck pace. From DOGE chewing through the federal bureaucracy, to Marco Rubio heading out on his first missions for Trump, there's so much...
Special guests:
Assemblyman Carl DeMaio -- on the L.A. fires and reforming CA insurance
Matt Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on DOGE and confirmations
Jamie Paige -- founder of the Westside Current, on L.A. politics and the fires
Frances Martel -- Breitbart News foreign editor, on Rubio and Russia/Ukraine
Rob Hersov -- South African commentator, on SA's fight with the White House
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