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
This week's Torah reading is a special one for the Sabbath that occurs in the middle of the holiday of Sukkot. The intermediate days of the holiday are not as holy as the first and last, but the Sabbath has its own special splendor.
This week's reading is about the reconciliation of God and the Jewish people after the sin of the Golden Calf. Moses intercedes on the Israelites' behalf, and God rewards him with a new set of tablets -- and a renewed connection.
In the same way, the ceasefire deal that went into effect Friday, October 10 -- ending the war and heralding the return of the remaining Israeli hostages -- marks a renewal of the relationship between the Jewish people and God.
The October 7, 2023, terror attack took place on the last day of Sukkot -- which was also a Sabbath that year, and which is celebrated in Israel as Simchat Torah, typically one of the happiest days on the Jewish calendar.
The terror attack turned happiness to shock and despair. But the subsequent victory, won by...
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."
