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President Donald Trump announced Sunday that construction of the newly redesigned White House helipad has been completed, bringing to a close a project that underwent significant changes at his direction last month.

Trump marked the completion by sharing on Truth Social a historic photograph of President Dwight D. Eisenhower preparing to leave the White House grounds aboard an Air Force H-13J helicopter in July 1957. Eisenhower became the first sitting U.S. president to travel by helicopter when he flew to Camp David that year, a mode of transportation the Secret Service had urged him to use.

“Dwight Eisenhower didn’t need a Helipad at the White House for those little Choppers, but America needs one now — Just completed, and MAGNIFICENT!” Trump wrote in the post.

Work on the landing pad began after the temporary fighting arena erected on the South Lawn for the “Freedom 250 UFC” event celebrating Trump’s 80th birthday in June was removed. Trump said in July that Sikorsky Aircraft, the Lockheed Martin subsidiary that produces presidential helicopters, would cover the project’s cost, which he estimated at roughly $5 million to $6 million. Lockheed Martin said its contribution was made to the National Park Service and complied with applicable laws and regulations.

The project encountered a major change of plans in August after Trump expressed dissatisfaction with the work already completed. The president wanted the landing area to appear level despite the slope of the South Lawn, leading contractors to dismantle portions of the work, including granite pieces that had already been installed as part of the presidential seal.

It was not immediately clear how much the additional work resulting from the redesign added to the overall price of the project.

Trump subsequently brought reporters to the South Lawn for a lengthy tour of the construction, where he praised both the helipad and work on his new White House ballroom. He said the landing pad looked “incredible from the air and from every place else,” and discussed its potential use during visits by foreign leaders. During the tour, he also signed the underside of one of the granite pieces being installed.

The new Marine One landing area measures approximately 100 feet across and incorporates thick granite, including stone quarried in California. Its centerpiece is a large presidential seal fashioned from stone. The helipad is intended in part to accommodate the newer generation of presidential helicopters, which officials have said could damage the South Lawn when operating directly over the grass.

Workers told Trump during his August tour that they expected to finish the project by Sept. 21, shortly before Chinese President Xi Jinping’s planned meeting with the president. The work ultimately appears to have been completed roughly two weeks ahead of that timetable.

“We might make it for President Xi,” Trump said. “That’d be nice but not imperative.”

The helipad is one piece of a broader series of construction and renovation projects Trump has undertaken at the White House and elsewhere in Washington during his second term.

Among the most prominent is the new White House ballroom project, which has drawn criticism from preservationists and others and prompted litigation over the construction. Last week, the Supreme Court, in a 5-4 ruling, allowed work on the project to continue while the legal fight proceeds.

The preservationists’ challenge could still return to the Supreme Court as the case moves forward. For now, however, the high court’s order permits construction on the ballroom project to continue while the underlying legal dispute remains unresolved.

{Matzav.com}

Yisrael Beytenu unveiled its candidate slate for the 26th Knesset on Sunday evening, as party chairman Avigdor Lieberman laid out an aggressive post-election agenda that includes universal military or national service, mandatory core studies in state-funded schools, and a refusal to enter into understandings with the chareidi parties.

The slate was presented before more than 1,000 people at Expo Tel Aviv. Lieberman retained the No. 1 position, while several new candidates were given prominent spots on the list.

Rafi Ben Shitrit, a former mayor of Beit She’an and onetime Likud member, was placed second. Ben Shitrit is the father of Elroi Ben Shitrit z”l, a soldier in the IDF’s 414 Combat Intelligence Collection Unit who was killed while fighting at the Nahal Oz outpost during the October 7 massacre. He is also among the founders of the October Council.

The third spot went to Col. (res.) Talia Lankri, who previously served as deputy head of the National Security Council for counterterrorism policy, homeland security and the home front, as well as head of the NSC’s Home Front Division. She currently works as a national security adviser and lecturer.

MK Oded Forer was placed fourth, followed by MK Yulia Malinovsky in fifth. Sharon Sharabi received the sixth position. Sharabi is the brother of Yossi Sharabi z”l, who was murdered while being held hostage by Hamas, and of captivity survivor Eli Sharabi, whose wife, Lianne, and daughters, Noiya and Yahel, were murdered in the October 7 massacre. Since the attack, Sharon Sharabi has been active in efforts to secure the return of the hostages.

Positions seven through 10 went to MK Hamad Amar, MK Evgeny Sova, Lod Deputy Mayor Elvira Kolikhman, and former MK Dan Illouz.

The next five spots went to Lili Ben Ami at No. 11, Dr. Yael Benvenisti at No. 12, Metula Mayor David Azoulai at No. 13, former MK Limor Magen Telem at No. 14, and Capt. (res.) Yisrael Ben Shitrit at No. 15. Ben Shitrit, a reserve deputy company commander in the Alexandroni Brigade, was seriously wounded during fighting against terrorists in Khan Yunis.

Former MK Sharon Roffe Ofir was placed 16th, followed by Mor Dekel at No. 17, attorney Michaela Levin Shamir at No. 18, and Col. (res.) Olivia Rapovitz at No. 19. Maj. (res.) Yaakov “Yanki” Moses was given the 20th position. Moses left the chareidi community and volunteers with Hillel, an organization that assists others who have done the same.

Rounding out the 25 candidates presented were Ami Kor at No. 21, Maya Plumboim at No. 22, attorney Eddie Mordechayev at No. 23, Michal Oron Azani at No. 24, and attorney Stav Boyangiu Matza at No. 25.

In his address, Lieberman took a hard line on the draft issue, declaring that he would reject any arrangement establishing exemptions or quotas for bnei yeshivos.

“I am not prepared to accept any wink in the direction of Netanyahu and the chareidi parties. Anyone who talks about an exemption for 30% or for 4,500 yeshiva students is mistaken and misleading,” Lieberman said. “The moment you agree to a certain exemption, what was is what will be. An argument over the numbers will begin, and then go establish an administration that will determine who is really learning Torah and who is not. Therefore, this will not happen. We will not lend a hand to such a thing.”

Lieberman said one of his party’s first priorities would be legislation establishing “a draft law for everyone.”

“In our system, there will be no draft dodgers. Everyone will stand in line at the recruitment office,” he said.

“Every young person who reaches the age of 18 – Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Druze or Circassian – will report to the induction center, and the IDF will decide whom it recruits for military service and who goes to national service,” Lieberman said.

Lieberman also pledged to require every educational institution receiving state funding to teach a core curriculum.

“Every child whose education is funded by the State of Israel must receive the tools that will enable him to integrate into society and the labor market,” he said.

The Yisrael Beytenu chairman then turned his attention to what he characterized as “chareidi coercion,” promising to oppose policies he views as imposing chareidi standards on the broader public.

“We believe in a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state. We love the tradition of Israel and Jewish values, but we will strongly oppose chareidi coercion,” Lieberman said.

“We will not agree to allow the Bnei Brak syndrome to spread throughout the country. City councils will not be able to make decisions regarding separate sidewalks for women and men, and we will repeal the law on gender separation in academia,” he added.

Lieberman also addressed Gadi Eisenkot, chairman of the Yashar party, saying that while he respects him personally, the two differ significantly over the strategy their political bloc should pursue.

“I respect and appreciate Gadi Eisenkot. We worked together and knew how to get along, even when we had difficult disagreements. I will tell you something else, I have no ego. But at the same time, there is a significant gap between my approach and Gadi Eisenkot’s approach.”

“What I have seen over the past month is an intensified effort by Gadi and his people to ensure that the ‘Yashar’ party will be the largest party. What interests me is bringing as many mandates as possible to the bloc. It is not enough to be the largest party when the entire bloc does not have enough mandates,” Lieberman said.

Lieberman outlined several additional measures he said he would pursue following the election, including establishing a state commission of inquiry into the events of October 7, limiting a prime minister to two terms, creating a national headquarters to combat organized crime, and establishing a constitution for Israel.

Lieberman said the government he hopes to form would consist “only of Zionist parties,” adding that he believes that at a later stage, “Likud without Netanyahu will also join our government.”

Ayelet Shaked has decided not to run in Israel’s upcoming election, turning down an offer from Benny Gantz to take the No. 2 position in his party and potentially setting her sights instead on a future political comeback through Likud.

According to a Channel 13 News report, Shaked is now expected to join Likud as a party member, a move that would allow her to begin accumulating the necessary seniority ahead of a possible future bid for a place on the party’s electoral slate.

Journalist Amit Segal addressed Shaked’s decision, saying that she “decided not to run in this election.” Regarding the possibility of another political partnership with Naftali Bennett, Segal added, “with Bennett, it is clear that it is over.”

Segal said Shaked had been skeptical from the outset about the prospects of what has been described as a “third bloc” in Israeli politics. He added that influential Likud mayors have been urging her for an extended period to formally join the party.

As an example, Segal pointed to Yehiel Zohar, whom he described as the “strongest in the party.” Zohar said this week that if Shaked were to compete in Likud, she could make it into the party’s top 10.

“My assessment is that she will join Likud, but time will tell,” Segal said.

Shaked’s decision came on the same day that another politician who previously ran with Bennett announced that he, too, would sit out the coming election. Former deputy minister Abir Kara said he would not be a candidate this time around.

Kara explained his decision in a lengthy post, arguing that Israel requires far more fundamental changes than he believes the current political options are offering.

“Israel needs far-reaching changes. Not Band-Aids, not cosmetic fixes, not hugs and certainly not makeup on reality and sweeping the problems under the rug,” Kara wrote.

“The society, the economy and the government in Israel need a total restart… I have not currently found a political framework with the necessary determination to truly change the course of the ship,” he wrote.

Kara added that incremental adjustments are insufficient for the challenges facing the country and said he sees the approaching election as offering largely the same political choices.

“Israel does not need another change of two percent here and three percent there. And these elections look like the same cards that are going to be shuffled in the same deck.”

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump’s job approval rating has fallen to 33% in a new Financial Times/Focaldata poll, the lowest level recorded since the FT began tracking the question in May, as economic concerns and dissatisfaction over trade policy weigh on voters less than two months before the midterm elections.

The nationwide survey showed Trump’s approval declining by roughly three percentage points from the previous month, continuing a downward trend in the FT’s polling series.

The decline was also evident among Republicans. Trump’s approval among GOP voters dropped by more than two percentage points to 72%, while 53% of Republicans approved of his handling of jobs and the economy, a decline of nearly eight points from the prior month.

Voters expressed even greater dissatisfaction when asked specifically about the condition of the economy.

Nearly two-thirds of registered voters said they believed the economy was moving in the wrong direction. Fifty-seven percent reported that they were financially worse off under Trump, compared with 53% who said the same a month earlier.

The economic concerns come amid sharply higher fuel costs. Diesel, heavily relied upon by the nation’s transportation, industrial and agricultural sectors, reached a record $5.85 per gallon Friday, according to AAA figures cited by the Financial Times. The increase has come amid disruptions connected to the U.S. war with Iran and elevated borrowing costs.

Trump’s trade policies drew particularly strong opposition in the survey.

Fifty-six percent of voters said they disapproved of Trump’s 50% tariff on approximately $20 billion worth of Canadian goods. That group included more than 60% of independent voters and nearly one-third of Republicans.

Canada has responded to the U.S. tariffs by imposing duties of as much as 50% on American imports, further escalating the trade dispute between the neighboring countries.

The polling comes as the Republican National Committee prepares to hold an unusual two-day midterm convention in Dallas next week, with Trump scheduled to play a prominent role in the gathering.

The survey also found concern among some voters about Trump’s impact on Republican congressional candidates. Forty-six percent said they believed the president was making it more difficult for GOP candidates to win in November, including more than half of independents. Among independent voters, 47% said an endorsement from Trump would make them less likely to support a candidate.

Democrats, meanwhile, held a 7.5-percentage-point advantage over Republicans among registered voters on the generic congressional ballot, an increase from a five-point advantage the previous month. Among likely voters, Focaldata reported a Democratic lead of approximately seven points.

MAGA Inc., the pro-Trump super PAC that has amassed a $400 million war chest, disclosed Saturday that it was spending $10 million on advertising to support Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the Republican Senate nominee, in his race against Democratic state Rep. James Talarico.

A White House spokesperson told the Financial Times that the administration “remains committed to implementing a proven economic agenda of tax cuts, deregulation and energy abundance,” citing the August employment report as evidence of continued private-sector job growth.

The poll cited by the Financial Times was conducted by Focaldata in late August and early September. The published FT survey reported a 33% approval rating for Trump, although Focaldata’s own summary of its latest polling reports the figure as 32%, apparently reflecting differences in the underlying sample or tabulation.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir issued a sharp warning to Israel’s enemies on Sunday as he oversaw a surprise military exercise designed to test the IDF’s ability to confront an unexpected, large-scale war erupting simultaneously on multiple fronts.

Zamir visited the Ground Training Center during the General Staff readiness drill, dubbed “Breaking Dawn 2.0,” which is examining how effectively the military can respond to a sudden and complex multi-front emergency.

Joining Zamir during the visit were Operations Directorate chief Maj. Gen. Itzik Cohen, Southern Command commander Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, Ground Training Center commander Brig. Gen. Yaniv Barot, 98th Division commander Brig. Gen. Meni Liberty, Gaza Division commander Brig. Gen. Liron Batito, and other senior commanders.

The exercise gave the Chief of Staff an opportunity to closely examine the ability of soldiers and military units to react to an unexpected attack on several fronts. The test included the mobilization of alert forces and reservists, command-level decision-making, and operational responses throughout the IDF’s chain of command.

“Today’s exercise constitutes another step in implementing the lessons of October 7th and examining the IDF’s readiness for a scenario involving a surprise war,” Zamir said.

“We are assessing the readiness of the forces and demanding that they meet the highest standard at every level, from the soldier at a position or outpost, through the command and control centers and headquarters, to the General Staff; from the soldier in the field to the Chief of the General Staff.”

The surprise drill is part of a broader, continuing effort to reinforce the IDF’s core capabilities and raise the level of preparedness among soldiers and commanders throughout the military.

During the readiness test, forces are practicing and evaluating operational plans while incorporating lessons drawn from the October 7 massacre and subsequent fighting across multiple fronts. The exercise is also part of the IDF’s preparations for the approaching Yom Tov period.

“We are changing, correcting and strengthening everything required to be better prepared for every scenario,” Zamir stated.

Zamir said the exercise was intended not only to assess the IDF internally, but also to deliver a warning to those considering an attack against Israel.

“Today’s examination also sends a message to our enemies: The IDF is fit, prepared, and ready to defend the State of Israel, and is also prepared to take the initiative and strike anyone who attempts to harm us.”

“Our message is clear-anyone who attempts to harm the State of Israel and its civilians will encounter a determined IDF that is prepared and ready, and will pay an immediate and very heavy price,” the Chief of Staff concluded.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump unveiled an unexpected change to his famously recognizable appearance Friday, stepping off Air Force One in New Jersey with hair that appeared significantly darker than his usual golden-blond color. The near-brunette look quickly drew widespread attention online.

Trump was spotted with the darker hair after arriving in Morristown for a weekend visit to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. The president has long been known for his distinctive swept blond hairstyle and has rarely made dramatic changes to it.

The apparent transformation quickly became a topic of conversation across social media, where users expressed surprise at seeing Trump with such a different look.

“The hair????” posted journo Yashar Ali.

“If I hadn’t pulled the photos from Getty Images myself, I wouldn’t have believed it.”

Jeopardy champ Hemant Mehta joined in with a hair-related pun, writing that “If everyone keeps mocking this, there will be hell toupée.”

Another social media user suggested the change might simply be seasonal, observing that “Summer’s almost over,” and so it is “a natural time to switch from bottle blonde to brunette.”

Author Annie Lamott offered a more enthusiastic assessment of the president’s altered appearance.

“I love it. So youthful. Very Pierce Brosnan,” author Annie Lamott remarked.

Trump went golfing Saturday with Fox News anchor Bret Baier and several others, but the president wore a red “Trump was right about everything” hat that covered his hair. As a result, it was difficult to determine whether the darker appearance seen Friday represented an actual change or was merely temporary.

There was no immediate indication of how long Trump might keep the new look, assuming the apparent color change was intentional.

Although Trump has largely stuck with his signature hairstyle over the years, he has occasionally departed from it. During a 2019 visit to a church in Virginia, he appeared with his hair slicked back, producing a look somewhat reminiscent of California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s hairstyle.

That experiment proved short-lived. Later the same day, Trump was seen once again wearing his hair in its familiar style.

Trump’s hair attracted public fascination long before he entered the White House. Over the years, speculation has included claims that he wears a hairpiece as well as reports that he underwent a scalp-reduction procedure, an allegation that surfaced in divorce proceedings involving his late first wife.

During the 2016 presidential campaign, Trump addressed some of the speculation in memorable fashion during an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” Trump, who has frequently spoken about his aversion to germs, allowed Fallon to tousle his hair on camera in an effort to demonstrate that it was real.

An 84-year-old man was killed in a tragic accident in Efrat on Sunday after falling from the balcony of his home as he was preparing to build a sukkah ahead of Sukkos.

The fatal fall occurred at the man’s residence on Matityahu Street in Efrat’s Etzion Junction neighborhood. Emergency personnel who arrived at the scene were unable to save him and pronounced him dead.

Following the tragedy, emergency volunteers worked to ensure that the deceased was treated with proper dignity while also collecting necessary evidence from the scene. His body was subsequently released for burial that same day.

ZAKA volunteers described the difficult scene and the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

“This was a painful incident. The deceased fell from a height while coming to build a sukkah on his home’s balcony. MDA crews had to declare him dead at the scene. Together with additional volunteers, we operated at the scene to respectfully remove the deceased and to collect evidence.”

{Matzav.com}

Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu issued a stark warning to Iran on Sunday, saying Tehran would face a devastating Israeli response if it launches another attack and declaring that Israel remains determined to complete what he described as its unfinished mission of bringing down the Iranian regime.

Speaking during a New Year’s toast at a cabinet meeting, Netanyahu pointed to Israel’s military accomplishments and said the country enters the new year in a far stronger position against its adversaries.

“We are at the start of the New Year, and more than ever, Israel is ahead. Thanks to the wise and courageous decisions we made together at this table, thanks to our soldiers’ heroism, thanks to our strong standing, we achieved great things.”

Netanyahu said Israel has emerged stronger while its enemies have been significantly weakened, crediting cooperation with the United States with helping eliminate major threats posed by Iran.

The Prime Minister claimed that Israel is stronger than ever; our enemies are weaker than ever. Together with the United States, we achieved great achievements by removing an existential threat from above our heads. We removed the atomic bombs and ballistic missiles, and we hit the Iranian axis with great force.”

Turning directly to Tehran, Netanyahu warned Iranian leaders against miscalculating and launching another assault on Israel.

“We are determined to defend ourselves; we are determined to strike our enemies. They don’t attack us. Iran is avoiding it, and it knows why. Of course, it can err and make a mistake and attack us. It sustains a hit like one it hasn’t even imagined.”

Netanyahu broadened that warning to Israel’s other adversaries, saying the country has demonstrated its ability to come together during periods of danger and has established itself as the dominant military power in the region.

“Don’t mess with us. This nation knows how to unite in trying times, and it is currently the strongest power in the Middle East, and some say beyond as well.”

The Prime Minister also praised IDF soldiers and members of Israel’s security services for their ongoing operations on multiple fronts.

“From here, I want to bless the heroic soldiers of the IDF and the security branches who labor constantly. We are eliminating terrorists around the clock – in Lebanon, in Gaza, and in Judea and Samaria.”

Despite what he described as major achievements, Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s military campaign remains unfinished. He identified the collapse of Iran’s government as the foremost task still ahead, portraying the regime as increasingly vulnerable.

“The achievements are immense, but there is still more to complete. I mean, first and foremost, the toppling of the regime. This regime in Iran – its end is near. It is weak; it is fighting for its life; it is faltering.”

Netanyahu said accomplishing the remaining objective would have consequences extending far beyond the immediate conflict, fundamentally altering the Middle East and the course of Jewish history.

“There is another mission to complete, which we are determined to bring about. This will permanently change the face of the Middle East and the history of our people. We know that we are determined to do this, and we are determined and know that we are capable of doing this.”

Netanyahu concluded his remarks with a prayer for the coming year and expressed hope that it would bring greater blessings for Israel.

“Therefore, I say: May the year and its curses end, and may a year with its blessings begin – blessings greater than we have ever had. A happy New Year to the people of Israel.”

Billions of dollars tied to suspected Iranian shadow-banking operations have passed through U.S. correspondent bank accounts, exposing a significant vulnerability as the Trump administration moves to further isolate Tehran from the American dollar and the international financial system.

A Treasury Department analysis identified approximately $9 billion in potential Iranian shadow-banking transactions that moved through correspondent accounts maintained at U.S.-based financial institutions during 2024. The findings were detailed by the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, or FinCEN, in an October 2025 report.

Iran has been able to move money through the system by relying on foreign financial institutions with correspondent relationships with American banks. Front and shell companies operating in places including the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and Singapore have been used to obscure the Iranian connections behind transactions, according to FinCEN and The Wall Street Journal.

That financial channel has become a major target of Operation Economic Outcast, the sweeping campaign launched by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Aug. 24 at President Trump’s direction. The initiative is intended to sever Iran’s remaining financial connections around the world and increase pressure on institutions that continue facilitating Iranian transactions.

Treasury took another step four days later, proposing to block the UAE branches of Egypt’s Banque Misr from maintaining correspondent banking access to U.S. financial institutions. FinCEN said Banque Misr UAE processed approximately $1.8 billion between January 2024 and June 2026 for 103 companies believed to potentially belong to Iranian shadow-banking networks.

The Egyptian state-owned bank maintained U.S. dollar accounts with three American financial institutions whose names were not disclosed by Treasury. Banque Misr’s website, however, identifies JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup among its correspondent banks, according to The Wall Street Journal.

JPMorgan Chase and Citigroup declined to comment. Banque Misr said it was working with Treasury and respects “relevant regulatory and legal frameworks,” while Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said it was in communication with American officials over the matter.

FinCEN’s move against Banque Misr UAE did not amount to a full sanctions designation against the bank.

Instead, the proposed measure must undergo a 30-day public comment period. If ultimately adopted, U.S. financial institutions would be barred from opening or maintaining correspondent accounts for Banque Misr UAE. The American banks involved in the transactions were not themselves targeted by Treasury.

Bessent said in a statement that “Iran’s enablers cannot continue to enjoy access to the U.S. dollar and the global financial system.”

The situation highlights a longstanding challenge for Washington in enforcing financial sanctions. More aggressive restrictions can increase pressure on targeted governments and institutions, but they can also encourage international businesses and trading partners to seek alternatives to the dollar, including the Chinese yuan and cryptocurrency.

“The more you use the tools, the more you create incentives for alternatives to the dollar,” Alex Zerden, a former Treasury official who founded Capitol Peak Strategies, told The Wall Street Journal.

Some financial experts contend that the effort to shut down Iranian shadow banking will remain incomplete unless American banks themselves are subjected to greater scrutiny and pressure.

Elaine Dezenski, a former senior Department of Homeland Security official who is now with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told The Wall Street Journal that shadow-banking systems are difficult to uncover but can still be traced. She said both U.S. banks and their correspondent institutions are “squarely on the hook.”

Gene Lange, who is performing the duties of Treasury’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, similarly warned financial institutions that “are on notice,” telling The Wall Street Journal that compliance with the government’s requirements is not optional.

An Amazon Boeing 767 cargo jet crashed onto a roadway outside Miami International Airport on Sunday, with dramatic video showing the aircraft surrounded by thick black smoke and flames.

Footage obtained by NBC 6 showed the massive cargo plane sitting at an angle across the road as dark plumes of smoke poured from the crash site.

The aircraft had been traveling from San Juan, Puerto Rico, to Miami when the incident occurred.

Video from the scene also showed flames burning along a portion of the fuselage as cars and tractor-trailers stopped nearby.

“Oh my God!” people could be heard exclaiming in the background as they watched the wreckage burn.

Despite the fire and smoke surrounding the aircraft, much of the plane appeared to have remained intact after coming to rest on the roadway.

Authorities had not immediately disclosed what caused the crash, and the full circumstances surrounding the incident remained unclear.

An American Airlines flight bound for Newark was forced to divert to Baltimore after a passenger allegedly launched into a violent midair outburst, shouting racial slurs and attacking another traveler before fellow passengers helped restrain him with duct tape and zip ties.

American Airlines Flight 618 was traveling from Dallas-Fort Worth to Newark, New Jersey, late Thursday when the disturbance prompted the crew to make an unscheduled landing at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.

According to TMZ, the unidentified passenger allegedly began screaming racial slurs during the confrontation, with witnesses saying his behavior endangered others aboard the aircraft.

Video recorded during the incident shows crew members and passengers working together to secure the struggling man in his seat.

Photographs taken aboard the plane show the passenger restrained with zip ties and duct tape, which was also used to hold his head against the seat.

Witnesses said the trouble began roughly two hours after takeoff, when the passenger suddenly started shouting at the man seated beside him. TMZ reported that he yelled about Jesus and going to hell, prompting a flight attendant to approach and try to defuse the situation.

The passenger allegedly directed a racial slur at the flight attendant, who is Black. His behavior reportedly then turned physical, with the man striking the passenger sitting next to him.

A female passenger initially attempted to intervene but was pushed by the disruptive traveler, according to the report. Three male passengers then stepped in to help bring the situation under control.

“Just like a light switch, all of a sudden, it went from quiet to yelling and chaos,” one of the men, retired law enforcement officer Juan Mejia, told CBS Texas. “I turned around to look, and the poor gentleman that was sitting next to him in the aisle seat, the individual had his hands around his neck and was, like, assaulting him.”

Flight attendants provided the three passengers with duct tape and zip ties, which they used to secure the man to his seat. They continued holding him down as he reportedly struggled to free himself.

American Airlines and the Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that the flight was diverted to Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Law enforcement officers were waiting when the aircraft arrived and took the passenger into custody.

“On Sept. 3, American Airlines flight 618 diverted to Baltimore (BWI) due to a disruptive customer,” the airline said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “Upon arrival, law enforcement met the aircraft and assisted with deplaning the customer before the flight continued to its destination.”

“The safety and security of our customers and team members is our top priority and we do not tolerate violence. We thank our team members for their professionalism and our customers for their understanding,” the statement added.

The FBI said Maryland Transportation Police arrested the passenger and booked him on state charges following the diversion.

“The FBI is currently conducting interviews to gather the facts and will consult with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Maryland to determine if federal charges will be filed,” a spokesperson for the agency said in a statement to CBS Texas.

The Israel Defense Forces launched an unannounced nationwide readiness drill early on Sunday morning to test its preparedness for a sudden, large-scale multi-front conflict ahead of the upcoming Yomim Tovim, according to an army statement.

Under the direction of the IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the General Staff surprise exercise—dubbed “Breaking Dawn 2.0″—evaluates the military headquarters, command decision-making and rapid deployment capabilities across multiple operational sectors.

As part of the drill, senior commanders throughout regional commands, branches and directorates were summoned, while standby forces mobilized and reserve readiness underwent review. Zamir observed operations from both the military’s underground Supreme Command Post and positions in the field.

The IDF noted that the public may observe increased movement of ground security forces and aircraft nationwide during the drill, emphasizing that the maneuvers do not stem from an active security emergency.

Conducted under the Operations Directorate’s scheduled training program, the exercise tests updated operational plans and incorporates tactical lessons learned from combat across various fronts following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre.

IDF Comptroller officers in both active-duty and reserve service are actively inspecting units and headquarters throughout the country to review compliance and operational readiness.

The military is facing a “tense and volatile period” on all war fronts, Zamir said on Sunday during a situational assessment held as part of the exercise.

“We are preparing for the upcoming holiday period,” Zamir said, referring to Rosh Hashanah, which will be celebrated on Sept. 12–13. He noted that the military continues to draw lessons from the war, adding that “the baseline posture of the entire IDF is readiness for a surprise attack.”

The nationwide exercise tests readiness across every branch and echelon, from the General Staff to tactical field units, and ensures operational orders remain up to date, the chief of staff said. The assessment also evaluated how commands handle an emerging multi-front scenario under diverse operational conditions.

Hanan Gefen, a former commander of the Israel Defense Forces’ Unit 8200 signals intelligence unit, told JNS that there is a need for closer coordination not only among military forces but also with police, first responders and emergency services that would be called upon during a major terrorist attack.

He said areas such as Eilat and other parts of southern Israel that were not directly exposed on Oct. 7 must also be incorporated into such coordination efforts, particularly given their long and remote borders and relatively sparse population centers.

Gefen said that the Oct. 7 attack exposed a total collapse of Israel’s defense systems. For two or three days, he said, defensive efforts did not come through the traditional command-and-control structure but instead relied on local initiatives, including those led by civilians who played a critical role.

“Even today, we cannot appreciate or understand the full extent of these local initiatives. This is the major lesson learned,” he said.

Gefen emphasized that Sunday’s drill sends a broader message to Israel’s enemies, including Hezbollah, against which Israel is operating covertly on the ground and dismantling strategic strongholds; Hamas, whose head of internal security was recently captured; and Iran, a major state sponsor of terrorism.

“These messages hit very hard. The main overall message, though, is that Israel is acting thoroughly and regrouping,” he said.

Nitzan Nuriel, former director of the Counter-Terrorism Bureau in the Prime Minister’s Office, told JNS that any military exercise that is publicized is intended to send a message, demonstrate power and showcase capabilities.

“It’s not only about us, it’s about our neighbors. In every exercise we publish, there are messages to our allies and enemies,” he said.

To Israel’s allies, Nuriel said, the message is that over the past three years, Israel has achieved significant military accomplishments, and it continues to improve its capabilities, making it a powerful partner.

“To our enemies, the message is: Yes, we have been fighting for three years, but we know what we are fighting for. We are not tired, and we feel capable of taking care of our security if needed,” he said.

“I believe that the Syrian regime may be eyeing more options in case talks between us do not move forward. Hezbollah and many other players, even Turkey, need to receive those messages from us,” Nuriel said.

In addition to the nationwide readiness check, the military announced on Sunday that it will launch a large-scale exercise in the Eilat region and the Jordan Valley.

The drill, led by the 80th “Edom” Division, begins on Monday and will run for several days. Starting Sunday, residents may notice heavy movement of security forces, aircraft and naval vessels, according to the IDF.

Soldiers will rehearse scenarios including a surprise attack and infiltrations of Israeli territory by air, sea and land. The exercise will test the defense of border communities, including the resort city of Eilat, along with force readiness and air and naval integration.

Troops will also drill operational coordination with the Israeli Air Force and Israeli Navy, as well as the Israel Police and the Magen David Adom emergency response organization.

IDF chief: Israel ‘fundamentally changed its security doctrine’ after Oct. 7

Zamir said on Sept. 3 that Israel “fundamentally changed” its security doctrine during the three-year war that followed the “failure” of the Oct. 7 attacks.

There is no more “ignoring and no containment; there is the removal of threats before they materialize. We are engaged in a continuous process of learning, drawing lessons and implementing them,” Zamir said at a recognition event for IDF troops and security forces, organized by the State Employees’ Union, according to the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit, which did not specify the location of the conference.

“For more than a thousand days, the State of Israel has been engaged in a prolonged, unprecedented and multi-front campaign for our existence and our homeland,” the military chief was quoted as saying.

Zamir stressed that over the course of the war, Israel’s security forces “have removed real existential threats that had been built up against us for years. We have proven that the IDF’s long arm is powerful, determined and capable of reaching anywhere to strike those who seek to harm us.”

He went on to say that the military must be expanded with the necessary manpower and equipped with advanced capabilities to meet its evolving missions, while at the same time, the state’s “highest obligation” is to care for those who serve in the IDF.

These include mandatory service personnel, career service personnel, reservists and IDF employees, “who are the foundation of our strength and the secret to our power,” Zamir said.

“This is a generation of courageous and fearless troops whose achievements will be recorded in the annals of Jewish history,” he continued.

Upon receiving an award of appreciation, the military chief stated, “I stand here solely as the commander of hundreds of thousands of troops and officers—both in mandatory service and the reserves—who carry the security of the state on their shoulders every day, hour by hour.”

This award “belongs to the reservists who left behind their homes, families and careers and reported for duty out of a profound sense of mission; it belongs to the families who provide them with unwavering support, and to the fallen and wounded who have paid the highest price. I am merely the representative of an entire military that operates with dedication, determination and humility, and I accept this recognition in their name and because of them.” JNS

A Jewish resident of the Shiloh area who was filmed by U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee during his visit to the Arab village of Turmus Ayya has identified himself as the driver of the security vehicle and disputed the way the encounter was portrayed, saying he had gone to the area in response to a security alert.

“Dear Mike Huckabee,” Amishav Melet wrote in an X post published after Shabbos. “Well, that was me. I was the driver of the Ranger you filmed.”

Melet said the incident began when a shepherd reported that dozens of vehicles had gathered near the outskirts of Turmus Ayya, in an area where, according to Melet, Jewish residents have faced repeated attacks and incidents of arson in recent months.

According to Melet, he got into the community’s security Ranger to investigate the gathering while simultaneously notifying the IDF in accordance with established security procedures.

“When we arrived and saw respectable people and media crews, we said hello and continued on our way,” he wrote. “Shortly afterward, the army informed us that this was a proper, coordinated visit.”

“That is the entire story,” Melet added. “And yet, within minutes, we were portrayed in the media as ‘dangerous settlers.’”

Melet went on to argue that Huckabee had not been presented with the full picture of events in and around Turmus Ayya. He leveled a series of allegations against local officials, educators and other residents, claiming that some have been connected to terrorism, anti-Israel incitement or violence.

He further alleged that monuments honoring terrorists can be found in the village and claimed that Israelis have been targeted in hundreds of incidents in the area over the past year, including stone-throwing attacks, arson, shootings and physical assaults.

Melet also challenged video footage that was shown to Huckabee during his visit, contending that clips presented by local ambulance personnel had been edited in a manner that removed important context.

In one such case, Melet claimed that an ambulance had blocked an IDF vehicle while soldiers were being targeted with stones. According to his account, the soldiers eventually attempted to leave the scene and struck the edge of the ambulance as they maneuvered their vehicle out of the area.

“I ask you to watch the full footage, rather than edited clips,” Melet wrote. “When you cut out the beginning of an incident, you can make almost any story look completely different.”

Melet concluded his response by noting the personal toll terrorism has taken on his own family.

“I am a bereaved brother.”

The Transportation Security Administration is introducing a new program that will allow eligible people without airline tickets to pass through airport security and meet arriving passengers at their gates, bringing back a familiar part of air travel that largely disappeared after security restrictions were tightened.

Known as Gateside by TSA PreCheck, the initiative is initially available at 13 airports across the United States, with additional locations expected to join the program in the coming months. Access is limited to TSA PreCheck members and others who have Known Traveler Numbers.

For generations, airport arrivals often ended with passengers walking off their flights to find relatives and friends waiting for them at the gate, sometimes carrying flowers or welcome signs. Those immediate reunions largely vanished once people without boarding passes were generally barred from entering secure airport areas.

Today, relatives and friends waiting for an arriving passenger typically have to remain outside the security checkpoint. That can mean additional waiting before families are reunited and can also make navigating an unfamiliar airport more difficult for arriving passengers who might otherwise have someone waiting at the gate to assist them.

The TSA is now seeking to restore some of that experience through Gateside by TSA PreCheck. The program allows qualifying individuals to enter the secure side of participating airports even when they are not scheduled to fly.

“As an exclusive benefit for our most trusted travelers, this new program makes it easier to return to the gate for welcomes and send-offs, meet friends during a layover, and enjoy dining and shopping along the way, bringing back the moments that once defined air travel,” the TSA states.

The initial Gateside rollout includes 13 airports, although the TSA says additional airports will be added in phases.

The participating airports are Mesa Gateway Airport in Arizona; John Glenn Columbus International Airport in Ohio; Dallas Fort Worth International Airport in Texas; Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan; Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Kansas; Indianapolis International Airport in Indiana; Harry Reid International Airport in Nevada; Los Angeles International Airport in California; Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Arkansas; Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma; Eppley Airfield in Nebraska; San Diego International Airport in California; and Salt Lake City International Airport in Utah.

There is no additional charge for Gateside access for people who already have TSA PreCheck, which itself requires a fee, or otherwise possess a Known Traveler Number. Eligibility, however, does not give participants unrestricted access to the secure areas of airports whenever they choose.

Instead, anyone wishing to use Gateside must submit an application through the TSA between one and three days before the planned airport visit. Once approval is granted, the visitor must bring valid identification and enter through a TSA PreCheck security lane.

Children can accompany an approved parent or guardian through security as long as they are included on the adult’s reservation.

The TSA has not announced precisely when additional airports will begin participating or how many locations will eventually offer Gateside. The agency has said only that the program will expand to more airports over the coming months.

Iran is reportedly working toward a coordinated, multi-front attack on Israel modeled on the Oct. 7 Hamas massacre, with Israeli intelligence assessments indicating that Tehran is seeking to mobilize its network of terror proxies across the region for a future campaign.

The Islamic Republic is said to be planning an effort to replicate Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault — in which more Jews were murdered in a single day than at any point since the Holocaust — but on a far broader scale and with coordinated participation by Iran-backed groups including Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen, according to a report by the Jerusalem Post.

Officials in Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps have reportedly been working to rebuild and strengthen the so-called “Axis of Resistance,” holding a series of planning meetings with senior figures from Hezbollah, the Houthis and Iranian-backed militias in Iraq to discuss a possible escalation against Israel.

The IRGC has also reportedly stepped up joint military exercises with its terror proxies while expanding the production of missiles and drones. The effort is aimed at replenishing weapons stockpiles depleted during the wars involving Israel and the United States and preparing the Iranian network for another potential conflict.

Israeli intelligence also indicates that Hezbollah and Hamas have increased their coordination as they seek to maintain pressure on Israel simultaneously from different fronts.

A region-wide Iranian-led assault involving multiple terror groups would effectively fulfill the vision that Hamas leader and Oct. 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar had hoped to realize when he launched the 2023 massacre, according to the Jerusalem Post.

Israeli intelligence has found that Sinwar anticipated that other forces across the Arab and Muslim world would join Hamas following the Oct. 7 attack, which left approximately 1,200 Israelis dead, about 250 people kidnapped and thousands of others wounded or sexually assaulted.

That broader assault did not materialize as Sinwar had envisioned. According to the intelligence assessment, Iran and Hezbollah had not been informed in advance of the specific date Hamas intended to launch the attack and therefore did not immediately join Hamas in a coordinated ground invasion of Israel.

The latest assessment indicates that Tehran is now seeking to avoid that lack of coordination by bringing its regional proxies together in advance, potentially allowing Iran and its allied terror groups to act simultaneously in any future attempt to recreate the devastation of Oct. 7.

Associates of outgoing Degel HaTorah chairman MK Moshe Gafni are expressing anger over the decision to remove him from the party’s Knesset slate, alleging that the move was deliberately concealed from them and was driven by internal struggles for control of the Litvish party. Associates of Rav Dov Landau, however, strongly reject that characterization, insisting that Gafni is not being “ousted” but is leaving the Knesset as part of a planned effort to refresh the party’s representation.

Senior figures close to Gafni reacted with shock overnight Motzoei Shabbos after it became official that he will not be included on the United Torah Judaism slate for the next Knesset.

Speaking to Kikar HaShabbat, Gafni’s associates alleged that efforts were made to carry out the change “in the dark,” while people associated with the home of Rav Landau repeatedly denied that such a move was underway.

“It began with rumors, and in the homes of the rabbonim, they denied it in conversations with us, claiming that it was all nonsense and that there were no changes,” Gafni’s associates said. “Journalists who asked people close to the court were also told that there was no discussion whatsoever about removing him and that it was fake news. We discovered this move last week.”

According to Gafni’s associates, once they learned what was happening, they mounted an effort to prevent the longtime MK’s removal.

“There was an attempt here to carry out this move in the dark, to put us to sleep, but we discovered it by chance and tried to prevent the removal. By the end of the week, it appeared that we had succeeded, but on Motzoei Shabbos we understood that the decision had been made.”

Another senior figure close to Gafni expressed deep frustration with the decision, insisting that it was unrelated to the failure thus far to pass a new military draft law addressing the status of bnei yeshivos.

“This is not a decision to replace him because of the failure to pass the draft law; Rav Landau gives Gafni his complete backing on the draft issue,” the source said. “Nor is this a replacement because of Gafni’s ‘age.’ This is about power struggles, and Gafni is paying the price.”

The official decision was announced on Motzoei Shabbos through an updates group associated with the home of Rav Landau. The announcement said that the Rosh Yeshiva had sent personal letters to Gafni and MK Uri Maklev thanking them for their years of public service, which they carried out “in complete obedience to the Gedolei Yisroel.”

The letter explained that “due to the need to refresh the ranks among the Knesset members, the first two will leave the Knesset in order to bring in new representatives.”

According to Kikar HaShabbat, Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch had initially been expected to join the letter but ultimately decided not to become involved in the move and expressed opposition to removing the two veteran MKs.

Marathon discussions were reportedly held toward the end of the week between the homes of Rav Hirsch and Rav Landau. Rav Hirsch reportedly sent an emissary in an effort to persuade Rav Landau to postpone the change and allow Gafni and Maklev to remain in place for the coming election.

Senior figures close to Rav Landau, however, rejected the claims being made by Gafni’s associates and disputed the very description of the decision as an “ouster.”

“Gafni has known for a long period that discussions were taking place about refreshing the list. This is not an ouster, and it is wrong to speak about an ouster,” they said. “There is tremendous appreciation for Gafni and a great deal of gratitude. The Rosh Yeshiva decided on this dramatic step because of the need to refresh the list.”

Another figure in Rav Landau’s home told Kikar HaShabbat that those around the Rosh Yeshiva deliberately refrained from publicly campaigning against Gafni or Maklev while the discussions were underway.

“Every journalist who dealt with the Gafni story knows that we did not brief against Gafni and Maklev and did not speak against them. We did not cooperate with the media discussion,” the source said. “This is a decision by the Rosh Yeshiva to refresh the list. This is not an ouster. There were those who tried forcefully to portray the event as an ouster in order to prevent the move, and ultimately they primarily harmed Gafni’s good name.”

The competing accounts underscore the deep tensions now surrounding one of the most significant changes in Degel HaTorah’s political leadership in years, with Gafni’s camp portraying his departure as the product of an internal battle for control while Rav Landau’s associates maintain that the decision was a respectful and necessary transition intended to make room for a new generation of representatives.

{Matzav.com}

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But holding onto money that isn’t yours? That can happen to anyone. And the chiyuv to pay stands even if the owner can’t be found. 

Could This Be You? 

• You scratched a parked car and could never track down the owner 

• You stained someone’s clothing at a simcha and never caught their name 

• Someone spotted you cash back in yeshiva, and you never paid him back 

• You overcharged a customer, or forgot to refund one, and they’re long gone 

Those obligations don’t simply disappear. And when you stand in shul on Kol Nidrei night, you’ll want to know your outstanding balance is clear. 

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Clear Your Name Before Kol Nidrei 

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The Bais Din Rabbonei Chabad in Eretz Yisroel has issued a detailed public letter ahead of the upcoming Knesset elections, declaring that Chabad is not affiliated with any political party and warning that no individual or political activist is authorized to invoke the name of Chabad or the Lubavitcher Rebbe for political purposes.

At the same time, the rabbonim stressed that Chabad chassidim are obligated to vote and should encourage others to do so, citing the Rebbe’s longstanding directive to support “the list that is most chareidi l’dvar Hashem” and that will safeguard the integrity of the Torah, the Jewish people and Eretz Yisroel.

The letter, issued by the Bais Din Rabbonei Chabad in Eretz Yisroel, the senior rabbinic body of Chabad chassidim in Israel, seeks to establish clear boundaries regarding Chabad’s involvement in the election campaign and prevent political figures or activists from presenting themselves as representatives of the movement.

The rabbonim begin by reiterating what they describe as a fundamental principle established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

“The holy position of the Rebbe, the leader of our generation, is well known: Chabad Chassidus is nonpartisan, and we have no affiliation with any political party. Our mission is to engage in spreading Yiddishkeit and the wellsprings outward and to prepare the world to greet Moshiach Tzidkeinu.”

The rabbonim said that this principle precludes attempts to identify Chabad with any particular political party or camp.

They then addressed a recurring phenomenon during Israeli election campaigns in which various individuals publicly claim to speak on behalf of Chabad or suggest that their political position represents the movement’s official view.

“Accordingly, no one has permission to express an opinion in the name of Chabad, and anyone who makes statements regarding the elections does not represent the official position of Chabad Chassidus, and those statements reflect their own views alone. The official position of Chabad Chassidus is solely in accordance with the directives of the Bais Din.”

The letter goes further by establishing restrictions on Chabad chassidim serving as candidates for political parties.

“A Chabad chossid may not serve as a member of the Knesset in any party [without written authorization from the Bais Din],” the rabbonim wrote.

The Bais Din also addressed Chabad chassidim who work for political parties or participate in election campaigns, making clear that such individuals are acting in their personal capacities and may not present their political activity as being conducted on behalf of Chabad.

“Chabad chassidim who work for various parties, as well as those who serve as political activists, do not represent Chabad Chassidus whatsoever, and they may not use the name of the Rebbe or Chabad in these matters.”

Despite drawing a firm line between Chabad and partisan political activity, the rabbonim emphasized that Chabad’s nonpartisan status should not be interpreted as a directive to abstain from voting. On the contrary, they said, the Rebbe repeatedly emphasized the obligation to participate in elections and to influence others to vote as well.

“At the same time, the holy position of the Rebbe regarding the obligation to vote in elections, both personally and by influencing others, is well known, as is his directive ‘to vote for the list that is most chareidi l’dvar Hashem,’ which will concern itself with shleimus haTorah, shleimus ha’am and shleimus ha’aretz, in accordance with the Rebbe’s wishes.”

The letter was signed by a broad group of prominent Chabad rabbonim serving on the Bais Din, including Rav Yitzchok Yehuda Yaroslavsky, rov of Nachalas Har Chabad in Kiryat Malachi; Rav Avrohom Michel Halperin, rov of the French Hill neighborhood in Yerushalayim; Rav Menachem Mendel Gluckowsky, rov of the Chabad community in Rechovot; Rav Eliyahu Yochanan Gurary, rov of Holon; Rav Yosef Hecht, rov of Eilat; and Rav Moshe Havlin, rov of Kiryat Gat.

Also signing were Rav Yisroel Yosef Hakohen Hendel, rov of the Chabad community in Migdal HaEmek; Rav Meir Ashkenazi, rov of Kfar Chabad; Rav Mordechai Bistritzky, rov of the Chabad community in Tzefas; Rav Chaim Shlomo Diskin, rov of Kiryat Ata; Rav Yeshayahu Hertzel, former rov of Nof HaGalil; Rav Yosef Yitzchok Wolosow, rov of Ramat Yishai; Rav Shneur Zalman Yaroslavsky, rov of the Chabad community in Elad; Rav Yaakov Mendelson, rov of the Chabad community in Arad; Rav Chaim Keizer, rov of the Chabad community in Emanuel; and Rav Yaakov Shwekey, one of the rabbonim of Kiryat Malachi and a senior figure at the central Tomchei Temimim yeshiva in Kfar Chabad.

The letter thus seeks to draw a clear distinction ahead of the elections: Chabad itself does not belong to a political party, and individual chassidim cannot claim to speak politically in its name, while participation in the election and support for a slate adhering most closely to Torah principles remain directives that the rabbonim say were explicitly established by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.

{Matzav.com}

The dramatic removal of veteran MKs Moshe Gafni and Uri Maklev from Degel HaTorah’s Knesset slate represents the first major imprint of Rav Dov Landau and Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch on the party’s parliamentary lineup, but the shakeup is not expected to fundamentally alter Degel HaTorah’s approach toward Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and the right-wing bloc.

Over the years, an almost unwritten rule has developed within Degel HaTorah: Each new generation of the party’s Torah leadership eventually places its own representative in the Knesset.

Rav Elazar Menachem Man Shach selected Moshe Gafni; Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv chose Uri Maklev; Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman brought in Yaakov Asher; and Rav Chaim Kanievsky selected Yitzchok Pindrus. Now, the time has come for Rav Landau and Rav Hirsch to put their own stamp on the party’s Knesset representation.

The notable exception was Rav Gershon Edelstein, who did not make such a change during the period in which he led the party. Some attribute that to the relatively brief period before his petirah, while others point to the dynamics surrounding his leadership. An initiative to replace some of Degel HaTorah’s MKs was already raised during his lifetime, but ultimately did not move forward.

Rav Landau and Rav Hirsch have now overseen what amounts to a political earthquake within Degel HaTorah: the removal of Gafni and Maklev, two of the party’s longest-serving and most recognizable Knesset members.

The biggest beneficiary of the upheaval is Yaakov Asher. The veteran MK is expected to move into the top leadership role and serve as chairman of both Degel HaTorah and United Torah Judaism. His elevation will also make him the party’s most visible political face, including in polling and television coverage.

The personnel changes, however, should not necessarily be interpreted as signaling a significant change in Degel HaTorah’s relationship with Netanyahu or the broader right-wing bloc.

There is no major ideological gulf between Gafni and Asher in their approach to Netanyahu. Both have maintained a strong relationship with the prime minister, as have many Chareidi politicians, while at the same time expressing frustration over commitments they believe Netanyahu has failed to fulfill.

Ultimately, the defining issue for Degel HaTorah in the next Knesset is expected to remain the military draft law. The party’s political support will hinge heavily on which political bloc can assemble a majority for legislation addressing the status of bnei yeshivos in a manner acceptable to the Chareidi parties.

For Netanyahu, the present political landscape leaves him without an obvious rival capable of offering the Chareidi parties such an alternative. The changes within Degel HaTorah may therefore dramatically reshape the faces representing the party in the Knesset, while leaving its central political calculation largely unchanged.

{Matzav.com}

Thousands of Vizhnitzer chassidim gathered at midnight on Motzoei Shabbos for the first Selichos, as Rav Chaim Meir Hager, the eldest son of the Vizhnitzer Rebbe, delivered an emotional address about his father’s ongoing medical treatments and urged the tzibbur to intensify their Torah and tefillos for the Rebbe’s recovery.

Just minutes before the Vizhnitzer Rebbe entered the main bais medrash for Selichos, Rav Chaim Meir Hager, Av Bais Din of Vizhnitz, addressed the massive gathering, speaking about the atmosphere within the Vizhnitzer court as the Rebbe continues to undergo difficult medical treatments.

In an impassioned address, Rav Chaim Meir spoke openly about the treatments his father has been undergoing and called upon the chassidim to continue storming the heavens on behalf of the Rebbe, Rav Yisroel ben Leah Esther.

“Dear Jews,” the Vizhnitzer Av Bais Din began, “aside from all the avodah incumbent upon every Jew during these days of mercy and Selichos, we, Vizhnitzer chassidim, also have an obligation to utilize these days of mercy for our father, our shepherd, the Rebbe shlita. The tzibbur is being called upon tomorrow to recite the entire Sefer Tehillim together, as is customary, and also to add to the power of Torah by learning together for at least two hours, with a large gathering. Tefillah is one of the things in which everyone requires chizuk.”

Rav Chaim Meir then outlined three points that he said should guide the chassidim at this time.

“The first point, which everyone knows, is that we need tefillos for our crown and our shepherd, who has already been dealing for two years with an ‘unexpected guest.’ My father shlita has undergone, and still needs to continue undergoing, treatments that are not at all easy. They weaken him and take a toll on his strength, as the tzibbur can see with its own eyes. We need to daven so that the proper influence will quickly come in its entirety, as my brother (Rav Yaakov Mordechai, Av Bais Din of Elad) already urged the tzibbur this past week in a telephone message.”

“Second, from this we need to know that, baruch Hashem, we have what to daven for. In Hashem’s great kindness, we can tangibly see the words that we will soon say in Selichos, ‘Hashem guards all those who love Him.’ We see special hashgachah from Above with our father, that there is a direction in which things are going. Although tefillah is always appropriate, and Chazal say, ‘Even if a sharp sword rests upon a person’s neck, he should not despair of mercy,’ baruch Hashem, we are not in such a situation. With us, chalilah, the language of ‘despairing of mercy’ is not relevant at all.

“We can see it tangibly, even during these very last weeks, when our father was extremely weak and the doctors were considering and deliberating about how to proceed. From Shomayim, it was shown that new gates are opening, literally a reality of ‘Who causes salvations to flourish and creates cures,’ and the medical hishtadlus is continuing to advance. Therefore, as we said, we must daven, and baruch Hashem, we have what to daven for.”

Rav Chaim Meir said his third point was the most important of all: the chassidim have repeatedly witnessed the effect of the tefillos being recited for the Rebbe.

“Third, and this is the most important: all the time, literally all the time, we see tangibly that the tefillos of Yisroel help, the tefillos of Yisroel make an impact, the power of tefillah is above everything. We see tangibly that when people daven, there is a great awakening and it makes things easier for our father. That itself should be an enormous chizuk for every one of us regarding what the power of tefillah means. When we look at him, at these two years alone, we receive tremendous strength regarding what tefillah means. Therefore, from all three of these points emerges one great practical point: Dear Jews, tefillos!”

With great emotion, the Av Bais Din then described his father’s emunah and complete submission to the will of Hashem throughout the difficult medical ordeal, saying that the Rebbe has never sought to know whether a treatment had succeeded.

“I can say, and we all know this, that throughout this entire two-year period, my father shlita did not even once ask or request after a treatment whether it had succeeded — not after the major surgery and not regarding other things, not even once! My father follows a clear path: What the doctors say must be done as hishtadlus, but beyond that — nothing. For him, there is no difference whatsoever whether, according to their understanding, it succeeded or whether it did not. He did his part, and he left the rest to HaKadosh Baruch Hu. Therefore, we too — and not only us — every chossid is deeply concerned for our father, checking and asking what is happening and what the situation is. But what is incumbent upon us? Tefillos! That is our obligation, and that is what truly helps.”

Rav Chaim Meir then related a story about the author of the Yosher Divrei Emes, who was once traveling during a harsh winter when he fell into deep mud as heavy rain poured down and found himself unable to escape.

“The Yosher Divrei Emes once traveled on the road during a harsh winter and fell into mud. It was deep mud and the rain was pouring heavily, and he had no way to extricate himself. He raised his hands and cried out: ‘Ribbono Shel Olam! I know what You want from me. You want me to do teshuvah. It is true, I really need to do a great deal of teshuvah, but I ask You, Ribbono Shel Olam, in such a situation can I do teshuvah? Can I accomplish anything while I am in the mud? I ask You, take me out of here, and I truly will accept upon myself a new awakening!’”

Rav Chaim Meir then applied the story directly to the Rebbe’s condition and the spiritual responsibilities of the Vizhnitzer chassidim as the Yomim Noraim approach.

“Dear Jews! My father is going through so much, not for himself, but for us! What is wanted from him is that we should do teshuvah! We are going to say Selichos; it is a time for cheshbon hanefesh, and the heart knows the bitterness of its own soul. But we need to raise our hands to Shomayim and plead: It is true, an awakening is indeed required, but when we look at our Rebbe like this, is it possible to attain the proper awakening of closeness to Hashem when we do not hear from my father the Torah of preparation for Rosh Hashanah? When we do not sufficiently have the fire of the tish? When the Pesukei Dezimrah is missing? How can we properly correct what needs to be corrected?”

He continued with an emotional plea for the Rebbe to regain his strength and return fully to leading his chassidim.

“Therefore, let us ask HaKadosh Baruch Hu: Give us back our father, our Rebbe, our leader, with healthy strength! With strong strength! And he will lead us day after day, and then we will be able to serve HaKadosh Baruch Hu with all our strength!

“We are now going to ask ‘to listen to the song and to the prayer.’ The Tiferes Shlomo writes that ‘the song’ means the song of Torah. The power of Torah together with the power of tefillah — these two great powers together, with Hashem’s help, will shake the worlds! HaKadosh Baruch Hu should help that we openly and soon see the complete yeshuah, and that there should be a kesivah vachasimah tovah for my father and for all Jews, that we should receive tidings of redemption and salvation and merit to accomplish all that is good!”

At the conclusion of the address, the Vizhnitzer Rebbe entered the main bais medrash wrapped in the inherited tallis of his grandfather, the Imrei Chaim of Vizhnitz zy”a. The Rebbe then went to the amud and led the entire Selichos in the traditional Vizhnitzer nusach.

Following Selichos, the thousands of chassidim broke into the traditional niggunim of the Yomim Noraim, as the Rebbe vigorously encouraged the singing.