This week's Torah portion coincides with Rosh Chodesh Adar -- the beginning of the month of Adar, the happiest month of the year. Actually, this year is a Jewish leap year, meaning that we add an extra lunar month (about 29 days) to the calendar so that it stays in rough alignment with the solar calendar. The tradition is that we add a second Adar -- why not have two of the happiest months in a row?
In the Torah portion, Moses conveys the basic framework of civil law as handed down by God. He then ascends Mount Sinai to receive the rest of the law, and will spend 40 days there -- a fateful 40 days...
...He will receive not only the written law, but also the Oral Law. The proof of the existence of the Oral Law is in this very portion, when the Torah talks about "an eye for an eye" and "a tooth for a tooth."
Without the Oral Law to explain that this way of putting this means the monetary value of an eye or a tooth, we would have the barbaric practice of extracting eyes and teeth as punishment.
I love the teachings at the end -- that if you follow all the laws, then all suffering will disappear, even childlessness ... of course this will prove to be almost impossible. But it is a goal to which we aspire.
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
