June 21… traditionally the summer solstice and the first day of summer, though I gather that was yesterday for some reason. We finally had a break in the clouds and fog that are typical of the “June gloom,” and the smoke that has hung over LA due to brushfires north of town has cleared somewhat. so I am enjoying the weather.
I’m also working hard. Today I finished recording the audio version of my first novel, Joubert Park, which I wrote during the pandemic. I’m not entirely happy with the book, but it was a story I had wanted to tell for a while, and it was good to make a first effort.
It hit me today, as I was working on it, that the novel is really my attempt to explore the moral choices that Jewish people — who were nominally “white” — faced in apartheid South Africa. Similarly, my play about King David (which is too long and needs to be rewritten) is about exploring the personal choices of powerful people, and their political consequences.
Writing is a pretty good way to explore all of these things. Even if what you do never actually sees a lot of day.
I have one more audiobook to record: my book from about a decade ago about the biblical Book of Kings and its political lessons. Again, I’m not sure I’ve added anything profound to the worlds understanding of theology or statecraft, but I did enjoy exploring these themes in the context of a biblical narrative with powerful meaning and resonance.
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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