I woke at 3:30 a.m. and jogged from my hotel to the Western Wall, the Kotel, to pray just after 4:00 a.m. I jogged back, showered, packed my belongings, and headed northwards, meeting old friends at the incomparable Hotel Magdala, on the Sea of Galilee.
We drove north to the Golan, stopping at an olive oil factory in the town of Katzrin before reaching Mount Hermon, the highest peak in the Middle East. A group of Israeli soldiers from the new Alpine Brigade took us around the mountain and to a lookout from Har Dov, a strategic point that Hezbollah wants Israel to give up: it commands all of northern Israel.
We drove onwards to Majdal Shams, the northernmost town in Israel, a Druze village where 12 children were killed by a Hezbollah rocket in July -- in retrospect, a turning point in the war.
Later, at the brigade's base, there was an incoming rocket alarm, and we ducked into a shelter. Several Christians in our group began a joyful song of prayer to lighten the mood. We heard the booms of the Iron Dome, and emerged to see the smoke trails of the downed rockets.
We headed south again, witnessing a spectacular sunset over the Galilee and Lebanon. In the distance, there was a wisp of smoke, rising from an Israeli airstrike in Lebanon. In the evening, I met for a delicious dinner in the Golan with a cousin who happened to be on a hiking trip.
So many thoughts in one day. Wondering what the future will bring; wondering about my own purpose in all of this; enjoying the fellowship of my fellow travelers; admiring the fortitude of the soldiers after more than a year of war; feeling so many emotions. A Thursday in Israel.
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.
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on the shutdown
- John Carney - Breitbart News financial editor, on the upcoming jobs report
- Jerome Hudson - Breitbart News entertainment editor, on the Kimmel fallout
- Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on the UN and Gaza talks
- Matisyahu - award-winning reggae artist, on his new album, "Ancient Child"
Tune in: 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
