This week's portion is my bar mitzvah portion. It inaugurates the Book of Numbers, and begins with the apparently mundane task of enumerating (via indirect, not direct, census) the military-age males from each tribe.
The Torah also describes the physical and geographical arrangement of each tribe around the central area of the camp. The message here is that human settlements must be orderly and well-managed to maintain holiness.
I feel this way about my physical environment at home. I try to clean my desk and my kitchen, at least, at the end of each day, so that I can start anew in the morning. It may feel onerous, but a tidy physical space leads to clear thoughts.
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.
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