Thursday and Friday mark the Jewish holidays of Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah. The first is the official end of the Sukkot festival, and joyous occasion for the whole people; the second marks the completion, and restart, of the Torah.
Sadly, Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah are also the anniversary, on the Hebrew calendar, of the October 7 terror attack. To have a joyous day -- traditionally among the happiest Jewish holidays -- marred by death is a horrific tragedy.
At the same time, the anniversary of a person's death is thought, over time, to become a day invested with special holiness, even blessings. 1200 souls were taken -- but each endures as a memorial candle, 1200 blessings, over time.
We mark the ending of Deuteronomy, and start over again with Genesis; we read of Moses's death, and then of the Creation of life itself. We remember the victims of October 7, then continue building, and loving, where they left off.
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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