This double portion covers the ceremony for the annual Day of Atonement (including the sacrifice of the scapegoat, literally a goat upon whom the people's sins are place, and that is then sent away).
It also includes a series of everyday prohibitions, including sexual prohibitions (including homosexuality) -- rules that the people were said, according to legend, to mourn, once they learned about them.
Some rules seem quite contrary to nature, or at least to the deep taboos that seem to be almost instinctive. Others are less so. The people understood they would have to develop restraint themselves.
The Torah thus connects private morality with public destiny -- for the private sins of the people, it warns, could lead to the loss of the land. This is a heavy moral burden, with which each must wrestle.
There is also the rule about treating the "stranger" well -- a passage that is frequently cited to argue that illegal migrants should be welcomed to the country, rather than arrested or deported.
But the "stranger" in the Biblical text does not merely live among the people; he "sojourns" there, with the implication being that he obeys the laws of the people (which is the problem re: illegal immigration).
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
