I woke up in a rainy Jerusalem, feeling excited about the day, but also tired. It had been a long week of travel and work, however exciting and inspiring. I did some work, then walked in the rain to the closest Aroma Café for breakfast.
Just then, I received a message from an IDF soldier I'd been planning to meet at the border with Lebanon: the ceasefire meant that the soldiers were on the move to secure various critical goals before the fighting would have to stop.
My plans were canceled. I was disappointed, but I wished him well. I didn't quite know how my day would change, so I went on with my schedule. I had coffee with a cousin who is involved in engineering projects throughout Israel; I spoke to the Misgav Institute of Zionist Strategies about U.S. policy towards Israel in the second Trump administration. (Short version: likely to be good, but take nothing for granted, and find creative ways to meet Trump's own policy needs.)
I learned two things: one, that there are conservatives in Israel thinking of offering Trump a gradual cessation of U.S. aid in exchange for recognition of Israeli sovereignty in key areas; two, all of our knowledge is still so limited.
I returned to my Airbnb and decided to take a nap (with the aid of two glasses of wine) and reset my internal clock to Los Angeles time. I woke, worked, and decided to go for a run -- to the Kotel and the Haas Promenade, for the view.
I ran for two and-a-half hours and savored the winter afternoon light of the city. I prayed at the Kotel; I enjoyed the golden light of the walls of the Old City; I marveled at the colors along the promenade as the sun dipped low.
I ran back, past the YMCA in its Christmas glory. I showered, packed, and drove to Modi'in for dinner with one of my cousins. Then I headed to the airport, and finally to the flight home, which is where I am writing this.
I had a thought at random at the Kotel: my war is over. I don't know what that means. After all, there are still hostages in Gaza, and major threats. But I feel a sense of completeness. Was it Trump's win? Or maybe just hope? I don't know.
This week, we are tackling two major areas of contention between the Trump administration and Democrat governors: fighting crime, and redistricting. The president is sending the National Guard to blue cities -- and blue states are trying to stamp out Republican representation. Is this a civil war situation?
Special guests:
- Bradley Jaye -- Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on redistricting
- Tom Manza, California Business and Industrial Alliance, on Gavin Newsom
- Jon Fleischman, veteran California political expert, on the special election
- Dan Backer, veteran political lawyer and consultant, on corruption
- DJ Mark Anthony, on a recent visit to Rome and visiting Pope Leo XIV
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET / 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874
This week's portion is the last of the month of Av -- also known as Menachem (Comforter) Av -- which begins in mourning and ends in celebration and anticipation of the New Year and the process of repentance and renewal.
In a similar vein, the portion features Moses offering the Israelites a choice between a blessing and a curse. They are masters of their own fates: if they obey God's commandments, they receive the blessings -- and vice versa.
The key commandment is to reject idol worship. There is said to be something magnetic about the practice of worshiping idols in the new land, such that it would be constant moral battle, both individually and collectively, in the land.
Nowadays, according to Jewish tradition, humanity has lost the urge for idol worship (and the antidote, which is divine prophecy) -- but there are several near substitutes, such as lust or excessive appetites for worldly pleasures.
We are wired for compulsive behaviors, bad habits, and even addictions. These ...
We have so much to talk about this week -- Trump's efforts to negotiate peace through negotiation, and Gavin Newsom's efforts to divide Americans through gerrymandering. We'll also talk about Playboy leaving LA and California.
Special guests:
Frances Martel - Breitbart News foreign editor, on Russia & Ukraine
Bradley Jaye - Breitbart News congressional correspondent, on Newsom
Harmeet Dhillon - DOJ Civil Rights Division chief, on the fight against DEI
Jessica Vaugn - Playboy model on political commentator, on California
Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 PT
Call: 866-957-2874
