This week's portion is actually a double portion: the two are read separately in Hebrew leap years (in which there are 13 months, to align the lunar and solar calendars).
One of the most striking stories appears toward the end: the tale of the five daughters of Tzelafchad. Earlier, they brought a protest to Moses: since their father had passed away in the desert before entering the Land of Israel, they would not inherit any property there. Moses was stumped by their question, and turned to God for the solution.
The story is a striking one: women raised their voices; their grievance was taken up by male authority figures; the leader of the nation admitted he did not know the answer; and a solution was found.
Too often, "woke" readings of history or tradition presume that what came before the present moment was oppressive, or exclusionary, particularly to women or marginalized groups.
In fact, tradition often deliberately addresses complexity, and shows how people may find redress for grievances within the existing system -- without destroying it or changing it to meet their needs.
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/398579/jewish/The-Daughters-of-Tzelafchad.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
