This week's portion is Bamidbar, which begins the book of Numbers. In Hebrew, "Bamidbar" means "In the desert," not "numbers," though the portion deals with the census of the number of military-age males in each of the Israelite tribes.
The portion -- which happens to be my bar mitzvah portion -- also describes the geographic layout of the Israelite camp -- how the different tribes were arranged around a common central square and along four cardinal axes.
It's quite a technical portion, but it signifies the importance of creating order within your own life. Even if you're in a desert -- or a jungle -- and cannot control the external world, you can organize your own thoughts and spirit.
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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