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
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
