I'm writing this from the hospital, where I spent the night with my wife and newborn baby, whose name is Amira Leah. Though it is a happy time, I will be fasting today for the Jewish day of mourning known as Tisha B'Av.
I tried scheduling a post for Saturday, which was the Sabbath before Tisha B'Av. Though it is also notable for the fact that synagogues around the world begin the Book of Deuteronomy ("Devarim" ), the Sabbath before Tisha B'Av is also known as Shabbat Chazon, the Sabbath of Vision, so named because of the reading that traditionally accompanies the the first portion of Deuteronomy, which is the first chapter of the Book of Isaiah. Isaiah has a vision that begins with destruction but ends with salvation, and notes that salvation is within the people's own power to bring about: "Learn to do good, seek justice, strengthen the robbed, perform justice for the orphan, plead the case of the widow." (1:17)
That's the kind of vision from which, at its best and most sincere, the idea of "social justice" draws its inspiration. But that justice does not come at the expense of faith, or freedom; rather, it must be the expression thereof.
https://www.breitbart.com/faith/2020/07/29/tisha-bav-jewish-holiday-mourns-national-destruction/
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/703951/jewish/Shabbat-Chazon.htm
https://www.chabad.org/library/bible_cdo/aid/15932/jewish/Chapter-1.htm
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."
So much to focus on this week -- and much breaking news. A peace deal in the Middle East, perhaps? Eric Adams dropping out of the mayor's race? And a looming shutdown as Democrats push their demands beyond absurdity.
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