This week's portion describes various different kinds of sacrifices brought by the priests in the Temple, as well as the investiture ceremonies for Aaron as the High Priest (Kohen Gadol), which was performed before all the people.
This is also Shabbat HaGadol -- the "Big Sabbath" that precedes Passover, which begins at sundown. (There is a whole discussion in the Talmud, in Tractate Pesachim, about what to do if the Sabbath precedes the holiday.)
The blessings of the Sabbath are considered even more important for a people about to be liberated from slavery. The Sabbath is the ultimate expression of freedom -- freedom from work, and even from worldly cares.
I'd like to share this excellent article by Agam Berger, a freed Israeli hostage who kept up her Jewish observance, to the extent possible, in captivity. Her faith guided her through. For her, the Passover miracle is a lived experience.
Actually -- that is how it supposed to feel for all of us. As the Passover Haggadah says, in every generation, we are obligated to see ourselves as if we ourselves had left Egypt. It's memory, not history. So -- happy Passover!
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/1692/jewish/Shabbat-Hagadol.htm
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
