This week features one of the greatest stories of the latter two books of the Torah: the rebellion of Korach, which came after the treachery of the spies and the failure of the people to enter the Land of Israel.
It is not surprising that there might be some resistance to Moses's leadership; after all, the idea he had failed was not so far-fetched. What is curious is that some of Korach's descendants turn out great.
The Prophet Samuel, for example, one of the great moral lights of the Bible, was a descendant of Korach. Chabad.org explains that this is a sign of the power of repentance; we read the additional portion from the Book of Samuel (11:14 - 12:22) in his honor.
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/112283/jewish/Samuel.htm
The story from Samuel talks about the rebellion of the people at the end of the age of judges, when they demanded a king. It was a form of insubordination -- but in this case, God blessed the people, even though Samuel was skeptical.
The great insight of Samuel is that the king, too, must be subject to the laws and commandments of God -- but without being a high priest or religious leader. Thus was the rule of law established -- which Korach, Samuel's ancestor, had threatened to disrupt.
That is the true repentance -- one of convictions, not just deeds.
This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
- Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
- Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
- Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
- DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.
In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.
The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.
Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.
We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...
We have so much to talk about this week -- Trump's efforts to negotiate peace through negotiation, and Gavin Newsom's efforts to divide Americans through gerrymandering. We'll also talk about Playboy leaving LA and California.
Special guests:
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Russia & Ukraine
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on Newsom
Harmeet Dhillon - DOJ Civil Rights Division chief, on the fight against DEI
Jessica Vaugn - Playboy model on political commentator, on California
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 PT
Call: 866-957-2874
