This week’s reading deals with the laws of purity and impurity, beginning with the impurity of a woman’s body after childbirth (meaning her husband, sensibly, has to give her several weeks of leeway before returning to intimate contact). It moves on to the laws of tzara’at, often mistranslated as “leprosy,” but really a kind of spiritual affliction manifested on the skin.
I’m actually writing this at the Dead Sea, the one body of water in Israel that’s completely unsuitable for immersion for purposes of purification. As I wrote in my October 6th book, “Four Seas of Israel,” it’s important to acknowledge death as part of life. Even naturally-occurring water has its limits.
Have a blessed and peaceful Sabbath, everyone.
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:
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