This week's fascinating Torah portion tells the story of the evil King Balak and the prophet Balaam, who is appointed to curse the people of Israel, accepting the assignment reluctantly, but ends up blessing them. Along the way, he is rebuked by an angel for beating his donkey, who sees the angel when he cannot.
One of Balaam's blessings has since been incorporated into the Jewish daily prayers: "How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob, your Tabernacles, O Israel."
Balaam is a rare example in the Torah of a person who is not Jewish and yet has an intimate relationship with God, as well as the power of property, even if he is not a moral character -- hinting that faith is both universal and complex.
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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