This week's portion tells the story of Noah and the Flood. (It is also the beginning of the new month, called Rosh Chodesh, which has an additional reading. The month is called Cheshvan or Marcheshvan, but the reading is same for each month.)
There are many fascinating aspects to the story of Noah and the portions that follow. One of these is the story of the Tower of Babel -- a common human project that ended in dispersal, failure, and mutual unintelligibility.
The message is not that unity is impossible, but 1) that it must be toward a good purpose; and 2) that it is not necessary for human flourishing. In a diverse world, we must live with differences, and find connections rather than uniformity.
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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