Sunday marks Simchat Torah -- the completion, and renewal, of the Torah reading cycle. We end Deuteronomy and begin Genesis -- at least, the first chapter and a few verses in the second. We also read a passage from Numbers that describes the seasonal holiday of Shemini Atzeret, which is the foundation for Simchat Torah and comes at the end of the happy harvest festival of Sukkot.
To emphasize the theme of continuity and renewal, the additional reading is from the Book of Joshua (1:1-18), marking the passage into the Promised Land, and the next phase of the story begun in the Torah. That story has continued until this very day.
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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