Joel Pollak
Politics • Lifestyle • News • Travel • Writing
I will share my thoughts about American politics, as well as current events in Israel and elsewhere, based on my experiences in the U.S., South Africa, and the Middle East. I will also discuss books and popular culture from the perspective of a somewhat libertarian, religiously observant conservative living in California. I will also share art and ideas that I find useful and helpful, and link to my content at Breitbart News, Amazon, and elsewhere.
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Weekly Torah reading: Emor (Leviticus 21:1 - 24:23)

This week's portion describes the major sacrifices that are to be offered by the Jewish people, including those that are offered only by the priestly Kohen class, and physical requirements of the people (men) who serve in that role.

Inter alia, there are interesting commandments -- such as an injection to treat animals with respect and care, first, by letting a mother animal nurse her offspring for a week before being offered in any sacrifice; and second, by refraining from slaughtering an animal and its offspring on the same day.

The commandments regarding animals remind us of the purpose of those regarding human beings: to uphold a divine connection, through ritual.

https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/111878/jewish/Rabbi-Isaac-Luria-The-Ari-Hakodosh.htm

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What else you may like…
Videos
Posts
Time-lapse sunrise at Temescal Falls
00:00:17
This is what is left of my special place in the forest

Burned, then covered in mudslides and rockslides. The river still flows through it. But we have lost so much. I have to believe the spirit still lives on.

00:00:16
The drive home 💔
00:00:46
Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (May 11, 2025)

Happy Mother's Day -- and congratulations to the Catholic world on the first Sunday after the selection of a new Pope. We'll cover Leo XIV, the president's upcoming trip to the Middle East, the prospects for trade deals, and more!

Rebecca Mansour -- Breitbart News senior editor, on Pope Leo XIV
Matthew Boyle -- Breitbart News political editor, on Steve Witkoff interview
John Carney -- Breitbart News financial editor, on trade deals
Avi Melamed -- Israeli analyst, on Trump's upcoming Middle East trip

LATE ADDITION: The Kiffness, on tour from South Africa!

Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 PT
Call: 866-957-2874

Weekly Torah portion: Acharei Mot (Leviticus 16:1 - 20:27)

This week’s portion is among the most severe in its prohibitions — on improper sacrifices, on inappropriate sexual relations, and much more.

At the same time, it also contains some of the most compassionate principles of the Old Testament, including the commandment to consider a convert as if he/she had been a member of the people since birth.

The idea is that restraint and ritual, while complex and incomprehensible at times, have a foundation of love that is deep and unconditional.

The additional reading, from Amos 9:7-15, is one of the shortest of the year, but also one of the most profound. It describes the exile and subsequent redemption of the Jewish people, it returns so complete that the new nation is literally built from the ruins of the old.

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/torahreading_cdo/aid/2495866/p/complete/jewish/Acharei-Kedoshim-Torah-Reading.htm

Breitbart News Sunday: show rundown (May 4, 2025)

Happy Star Wars day and all of that. Today's episode will consider the changing environment as we head into the next 100 days of the Trump presidency, with the stock market recovered and some hope in foreign affairs.

Will the tariff battle work out? Will Ukraine and Russia finally sit down for peace talks? Will the Trump administration's eagerness for a deal in Iran led to trouble? And will the "big, beautiful bill" Trump needs actually come together?

Special guests

John Carney -- financial editor, Breitbart News, on jobs, stocks, and tariffs
Mac Harman -- Christmas tree manufacturer, on the tariff threat to importers
Bradley Jaye -- congressional correspondent, Breitbart News, on the big bill
Frances Martel -- foreign editor, Breitbart News, on Trump's global efforts

Tune in: SiriusXM Patriot 125, 7-10 p.m. ET, 4-7 p.m. PT
Call: 866-957-2874

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