Today's show is very special, not least because ... I have a new son, born early this morning. My wife's s a champ. Very grateful that I can still do the show!
We have a special show today in other ways. We'll be talking about the state of the 2024 presidential race, where the polls -- some of them, anyway -- suggest Kamala Harris has a slight lead, but Trump seems to have done everything right in the past week, while she still has very little to say about anything important.
There's also a war looming between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Actually, it's pretty much a war already. We'll discuss what's going on at the moment -- and what the future prospects may be, plus the issue of antisemitism.
Special guests:
Michael Levine - author, discussing who the remaining undecided voters are
David Friedman - former ambassador to Israel, on his book, "The Jewish State"
Jonathan Cahn - pastor, discussing his book, "The Dragon Prophecy"
J. Christian Adams - of U.S. Civil Rights Commission, on campus antisemitism
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This is my first broadcast from the new office and studio in Washington, DC, where I'll be for a couple of years my neighborhood back in L.A. cleans up -- and as we follow the Trump administration from a little closer up than usual.
Topics:
And more!
Special guests:
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.
I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”
This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.
I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?
The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.
The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!
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