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New York City’s First Lady, Rama Duwaji, has issued her first public response to mounting criticism over past social media activity, as questions continue to swirl about statements and online engagement that critics say reflect anti-Israel sentiment and sympathy for extremist causes.

Speaking in an interview with Hyperallergic, the 28-year-old acknowledged her earlier remarks, expressing “deep shame” over comments made in her youth and stating that age does not excuse the impact of what she said. Still, she did not directly address several more recent and more serious claims, prompting detractors to argue that her response was incomplete and avoided key issues.

Reports published across American media outlets in recent days have pointed to a pattern of posts and interactions attributed to Duwaji spanning multiple years. Among the material cited are engagements on October 7, 2023, that appeared to praise the breach of the Gaza border fence and describe it as an act of resistance, along with the use of phrases such as “from the river to the sea.” Additional criticism has focused on earlier comments about Tel Aviv, including a 2015 post in which she wrote that the city “should not have existed” and characterized its residents as “occupiers.” She has also faced scrutiny over past expressions of admiration for Leila Khaled, who was involved in a series of airplane hijackings in the late 1960s and 1970s.

The issue has drawn further attention due to reporting on individuals connected to Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s political circle. According to Jewish Insider, senior campaign and media adviser Donald Bornstein spoke positively about Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar following his death, saying he “gave his entire life” to his cause while also ridiculing video released by the IDF.

Mayor Mamdani has attempted to separate his administration from the controversy, stressing that his wife does not serve in any official government role and remains a private citizen. His office also reiterated that he regards Hamas as a terrorist organization and has condemned the October 7 attacks as war crimes.

{Matzav.com}

War Secretary Pete Hegseth said Thursday that the United States is fully prepared to intensify military action against Iran if diplomatic efforts collapse, emphasizing that American forces are ready to act immediately if ordered.

Speaking at his weekly Pentagon briefing alongside Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine and CENTCOM Commander Admiral Bradley Cooper, Hegseth declared, “We are locked and loaded on your critical dual-use infrastructure, on your remaining power generation, and on your energy industry,”

He added that while the U.S. would prefer to avoid further conflict, it stands ready to proceed without delay. “We’d rather not have to do it, but we’re ready to go at the command of our president and at the push of a button,” Hegseth told reporters, with his comments airing live on Newsmax and Newsmax2.

Addressing Iran’s military leadership directly, Hegseth argued that the disparity in strength between the two sides is overwhelming.

“Our capabilities are not the same,” he said. “Remember, this is not a fair fight. We know what military assets you are moving and where you are moving them to.”

He described Iran’s current position as severely weakened, claiming its military infrastructure has been badly damaged and cannot be rebuilt.

“You are digging out of bombed-out and devastated facilities,” Hegseth said. “You are digging out your remaining launchers and missiles with no ability to replace them. You have no defense industry, no ability to replenish your offensive or defensive capabilities. You only have what you have.”

In contrast, Hegseth said the United States continues to reinforce its own military capabilities.

“You can dig out for now, but you can’t reconstitute. But we can,” he said. “We are reloading with more power than ever before and better intelligence, even more importantly, better intelligence than ever before.”

He characterized the current U.S. posture as an ongoing naval blockade and dismissed Iranian claims of control over the Strait of Hormuz.

“You like to say publicly [to] Iran, that you control the Strait of Hormuz, but you don’t have a navy or real domain awareness. You can’t control anything,” he said. “Threatening to shoot missiles and drones at ships, that is not control. That’s piracy. That’s terrorism.”

Hegseth also highlighted what he described as U.S. dominance in the region’s waterways.

“The United States Navy controls the traffic going in and out of the strait, because we have real assets and real capabilities,” Hegseth said. “We’re using 10% of the world’s most powerful navy, and you have 0% of your navy. That’s real control.”

He indicated that the blockade could be sustained indefinitely but warned that failure to reach an agreement could lead to further military action.

“We can do this all day,” he said. “But if Iran chooses poorly, then they will have a blockade and bombs dropping on infrastructure, power, and energy.”

Hegseth noted that the pressure campaign extends beyond military measures to include economic steps coordinated with the Treasury Department.

“Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and our friends over at Treasury are launching Operation Economic Fury as well, maximizing economic pressure,” he said.

Bessent said during a White House briefing on Wednesday that the administration intends to increase sanctions and financial pressure on Iran, describing the effort as the “financial equivalent” of a bombing campaign.

Hegseth said the military remains capable of rapidly shifting back into full-scale combat operations if directed.

“The world watched as the U.S. military moved seamlessly from major combat operations to a world-class blockade,” he said. “We can make that transition again very quickly and even more powerfully than ever at the direction of President [Donald] Trump.”

He closed by underscoring the administration’s core objective regarding Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“The War Department will ensure that Iran never has a nuclear weapon, never,” Hegseth said.

While reiterating a preference for a negotiated solution, Hegseth made clear that military action remains an option.

“We’d prefer to do it the nice way through a deal … or we can do it the hard way,” Hegseth said.

{Matzav.com}

48New details released by the IDF following a change in naval leadership reveal that Israel’s submarine fleet carried out far-reaching and highly classified missions during the war, achieving record-breaking operational reach and striking deep inside enemy territory.

As Major General David Saar Salama stepped down as commander of the Navy, officials disclosed that Shayetet 7 reached new milestones in both distance traveled and sustained activity within hostile zones. According to the information made public, these operations marked a significant expansion of the Navy’s strategic footprint.

Among the most notable revelations was that Israeli submarines reached “the farthest location in the history” of the submarine flotilla during a wartime mission, underscoring the unprecedented scope of the operations.

The fleet was deployed simultaneously across three separate arenas, with vast distances of thousands of kilometers between each submarine. In a first for the Navy, Shayetet 7 coordinated directly with Shayetet 3, the missile boat flotilla, to target and destroy enemy air defense systems and aircraft from the sea.

In the Syrian arena, the Navy took advantage of a narrow operational window to launch a major strike against Syrian naval forces. Within roughly an hour, Israeli forces sank 15 ships and struck dozens of missiles with ranges between 80 and 200 kilometers, dealing a major blow to Syria’s maritime capabilities.

Naval operations against Hezbollah also yielded significant results, particularly in dismantling the group’s coastal missile network. Many of these weapons, which had been concealed beneath civilian infrastructure and in underground facilities, were destroyed, leaving only a limited number still in Hezbollah’s possession.

Another key operation, known as Operation Behind the Back, saw Shayetet 13 forces capture Imad Amhaz. His interrogation led to the uncovering of a previously hidden Hezbollah naval unit, adding to Israel’s intelligence gains.

The Navy also played a major role in countering the Houthi threat, carrying out strikes as far as 150 kilometers داخل Yemen. These attacks reportedly disrupted supply routes, preventing roughly 80 percent of goods from reaching their intended destinations. During Operation “Roaring Lion,” naval units also provided direction and intelligence for strikes on at least 95 targets in Iran.

Since the war began, naval commando units have conducted hundreds of missions, including operations in distant regions where Israeli forces had not previously operated. In Gaza, naval forces were involved in central combat activities, ranging from raids on Shifa and Rantisi hospitals to seizing control of the harbor, conducting hostage rescue efforts, and carrying out logistical insertions deep in the Strip.

During the course of the fighting, the Navy brought all four Sa’ar 6-class warships into full operational use, deploying them in both defensive and offensive roles. The fleet was further strengthened by the arrival of two landing craft from the United States, and a sixth submarine, INS “Drakon” (dragon), is expected to join the fleet in the near future. In addition, a new maritime unit called “Netz” was established to enhance surveillance and drone operations at sea.

Over the 48 days of Operation Roaring Lion,” naval forces accumulated approximately 26,000 hours at sea, conducted 154 offensive strikes, and successfully carried out 40 air defense and interception actions against incoming aerial threats.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has formally requested that the Justice Department investigate two former officials involved in the 2019 impeachment of President Donald Trump, following the release of newly declassified materials.

According to several reports, Gabbard submitted criminal referrals focusing on the original whistleblower and former Intelligence Community Inspector General Michael Atkinson, citing concerns raised by newly disclosed documents about how the impeachment case was conducted.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence confirmed that a referral was submitted “related to one or more former employees of the Intelligence Community and their role in the 2019 impeachment of President Trump,” though no specific allegations were detailed.

The referrals come on the heels of recently unsealed records that, according to Gabbard, suggest the whistleblower may have provided misleading information and demonstrated potential bias. The same materials also allege that Atkinson failed to share critical details with Congress during the impeachment proceedings, according to reporting by Just the News.

Gabbard has sharply criticized the handling of the complaint, asserting that the whistleblower system was “weaponized” and used as part of what she and other allies of Trump describe as an effort driven by politics to weaken a sitting president.

CBS News reported that while Gabbard has asked for investigations to move forward, the Justice Department will ultimately decide whether any legal action will be taken.

The network noted that the initial complaint focused on Trump’s 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which led to his impeachment by the House of Representatives, followed by his acquittal in the Senate.

CNN also confirmed the referrals, adding that Gabbard released additional documentation this week that she says reveals irregularities in how the whistleblower complaint was processed.

Those documents reportedly include testimony and internal records indicating that standard oversight procedures may not have been followed by the intelligence community’s watchdog.

The move has drawn sharp opposition from critics, particularly among senior Democrats.

Representative Jim Himes argued that the referral is politically motivated and cautioned that it could have a chilling effect on future whistleblowers.

Backers of Gabbard’s decision, however, say the referrals are necessary, especially if key information was withheld during a major constitutional process.

Legal analysts point out that criminal referrals do not automatically lead to charges, but they can prompt formal investigations by federal authorities.

For Trump’s supporters, the development is being viewed as a possible reopening of one of the most divisive political episodes of his presidency.

If the Justice Department proceeds, the outcome could carry significant consequences—not only for the individuals involved, but also for broader issues surrounding government transparency, accountability, and the role intelligence agencies play in domestic political matters.

{Matzav.com}

Search teams are continuing intensive efforts today for a sixth consecutive day to locate 17-year-old Avraham Yeshayahu Spiegel, who has been missing since Friday after drowning at Sanz Beach in Netanya.

ZAKA forces reported that based on a professional overnight assessment, search activity today has focused on a complex rocky area in the middle of the sea, where there is a high likelihood the missing bochur may be found.

Throughout the day, divers, drone operators, and jet ski teams worked the area, scanning between rocks and other difficult-to-access locations. At the same time, ZAKA volunteers from the Sharon region and Netanya team continued foot searches along the shoreline, supported by a jeep unit, maintaining around-the-clock operations.

The search efforts continued even as the family mourned another tragedy. The levayah of the missing bochur‘s brother, 21-year-old Yissachar Dov Spiegel z”l, who also drowned in the incident, was held in Yerushalayim. Despite the levayah yesterday, search teams remained fully active, coordinating responsibilities carefully to ensure uninterrupted operations.

A situation assessment was held at the command post, attended by Eldad Steinberg of the Lehava unit, who praised the volunteers. “The professionalism and spirit of volunteerism of ZAKA members, who have been operating for six consecutive days, deserve deep appreciation,” he said.

Also visiting the site were Netanya station commander Chief Superintendent Kobi Abutbul and MK Yitzchok Pindrus, who came to offer encouragement and support to the teams on the ground.

ZAKA Deputy Director of Operations Chaim Wingertein said, “We will continue to operate with determination, using all available means, until the missing person is found.”

{Matzav.com}

Last night, in Brooklyn, NY, the wedding of Hagaon Rav Nechemia Kaplan, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Shaar Hatalmud in Yerushalayim was held in Brooklyn, drawing prominent roshei yeshiva and rabbonim who came to take part in the simcha.

Rav Kaplan is a son of Rav Boruch Kaplan and Rebbetzin Vichna Kaplan, noted pioneers of Yiddishkeit in the last century. His first wife, Rebbetzin Hendel a”h, was the daughter of Rav and Rebbetzin Meshulam Dovid Soloveitchik, Rosh Yeshivas Brisk.

The rosh yeshiva remarried to Rebbetzin Chaya Esther Lerner of New York. The wedding took place at Tiferes Mordechai Hall on McDonald Avenue in Brooklyn.

A large number of prominent roshei yeshiva and rabbonim attended the chasunah.

In a unique moment during the simcha, following the first dance, the chosson, the esteemed rosh yeshiva, delivered a shiur to the assembled guests.

{Matzav.com}

Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor said she regrets comments she made about a colleague during a recent public appearance, calling her remarks “inappropriate” and confirming that she has issued a personal apology.

“At a recent appearance at the University of Kansas School of Law, I referred to a disagreement with one of my colleagues in a prior case, but I made remarks that were inappropriate,” Sotomayor said in a statement issued by the court, Politico reported.

“I regret my hurtful comments. I have apologized to my colleague.”

Her statement followed comments she delivered last week in Lawrence, Kansas, where she spoke critically about another member of the court—widely understood to be Justice Brett Kavanaugh—regarding his stance in an immigration-related case.

Although she did not mention him by name, Sotomayor alluded to his concurring opinion in Noem v. Perdomo, which involved an unsigned order allowing immigration enforcement operations in Los Angeles to resume.

During her remarks, she challenged what she suggested was a limited perspective on how such enforcement actions impact workers.

“I had a colleague in that case who wrote, you know, these are only temporary stops,” she said. “This is from a man whose parents were professionals. And probably doesn’t really know any person who works by the hour.”

In his concurrence, Kavanaugh stated that interactions between lawful residents and immigration authorities are “typically brief.”

Sotomayor argued that even short encounters can carry meaningful consequences, particularly for workers paid by the hour, who may lose wages or face job-related repercussions.

She said such interactions carry “financial consequences” that may not be fully appreciated in the court’s legal analysis.

The episode underscores continuing ideological divides within the Supreme Court, especially in cases involving immigration policy and the tension between enforcement authority and individual rights.

At the same time, public criticism between justices—particularly when perceived as personal—has drawn attention and concern in the past.

Sotomayor’s apology represents a relatively rare moment in which a sitting justice has publicly expressed regret for remarks directed at a colleague.

The court has faced heightened scrutiny in recent years over its internal dynamics and public credibility, with ongoing calls for increased transparency and stronger adherence to ethical standards.

The White House on Wednesday released new information about a proposed “United States triumphal arch,” outlining plans for a national monument designed to highlight the country’s history and promote unity among Americans as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said during a briefing that the structure would incorporate artistic elements and historical imagery showcasing major milestones from the nation’s past, forming part of broader efforts tied to the upcoming semiquincentennial.

“The United States triumphal arch will be outfitted with beautiful artwork and depictions celebrating the success of the American people over our 250-year history and the enduring triumph of the American spirit,” Leavitt said during a briefing.

According to the administration’s newly released National Endowment for the Humanities spending plan, U.S. taxpayers would help fund construction of the monument in Arlington, Virginia.

The proposal, which received approval from the Office of Management and Budget in September, allocates $2 million in special initiative funding along with $13 million in matching funds “are reserved for the arch.”

Leavitt said the project is intended to serve both as a cultural landmark and as a symbol of national pride, drawing inspiration from similar monumental structures found in other countries.

She added that construction is expected to begin later this year.

The administration has framed the project as an effort to bridge political divides, emphasizing its goal of bringing Americans together around a shared sense of history and identity.

“Great nations build beautiful structures that cultivate national pride and love of country, and this triumphal arch should be a project that all Americans — all political persuasions — can support,” she said.

Triumphal arches have historically been used to commemorate military victories and national achievements, and can be found in major cities worldwide, including Paris’s Arc de Triomphe.

The announcement comes as federal agencies and cultural organizations begin organizing programs and commemorations for the nation’s 250th anniversary, with planners seeking to balance celebration with reflection on the country’s past.

While reaction to the proposal has so far been limited, large federal construction projects often draw scrutiny regarding costs, location, and public backing, and lawmakers would likely need to weigh in before the project proceeds.

“It’s the only city in the world that’s of great importance that doesn’t have a triumphal arc,” President Donald Trump said in December. “… And this one is going to blow them all away. The one that people know mostly is the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France. And we’re going to top it by I think a lot.”

{Matzav.com}

Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania voiced strong support Wednesday for U.S. and Israeli military actions targeting Iran and its proxy groups, pushing back against fellow Democrats who have criticized the effort as unsuccessful.

During an appearance on Newsmax’s “The Record With Greta Van Susteren,” Fetterman acknowledged that many within his party disagree with the approach but made clear he supports what he described as central aspects of the operation, known as Operation Epic Fury.

“There are many Democrats that do think that it was a failure,” Fetterman said. “But I am the only Democrat that’s supported Epic Fury.”

He also pointed to his vote against a War Powers Act resolution intended to curb U.S. involvement in the conflict, noting that he was the sole Democrat to oppose it.

Fetterman sharply criticized Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, saying the New York Democrat’s assessment of the situation was “categorically not true.”

The senator argued that the campaign has inflicted serious damage on Iran’s military strength, citing strikes that have targeted leadership figures and facilities tied to missile programs and nuclear development.

“Just eliminating leadership — incredible,” Fetterman said. “Destroying the Iranian military capabilities and making it more and more difficult, if not impossible, to build a nuclear bomb.”

He further stressed the wider regional consequences, pointing to Israel’s actions against Hezbollah in Lebanon and arguing that Iran has been weakened both militarily and politically, limiting its ability to support allied groups.

“It’s humiliating for Iran,” he said, adding that Tehran has been “begging for a ceasefire” while Hezbollah has been largely confined to attacks on civilians that Israel has mostly intercepted.

Fetterman suggested that opposition from other Democrats may be influenced by partisan considerations, particularly because of President Donald Trump’s role in the operation.

“To call that a failure, I don’t understand — unless because Trump’s been behind it,” he said.

He also defended U.S. efforts to assert control over key maritime routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, describing it as an important show of strength and deterrence.

“It was an incredible way to remind Iran and the world that we still run things,” Fetterman said. “We can control it … and hold them accountable.”

He added that such moves could have broader international implications, potentially drawing in major global players like China due to their dependence on oil shipments passing through the region.

Senior Pentagon officials have engaged in discussions with executives from major American companies, including General Motors and Ford Motor, about boosting weapons and military supply production, according to a report published Wednesday.

The conversations, described as broad and preliminary, began even before the conflict with Iran escalated. The effort reflects a push by the Trump administration to involve automakers and other U.S. manufacturers more directly in defense production, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing individuals familiar with the matter.

During the talks, defense officials indicated that traditional military contractors may require support and explored whether large manufacturers could quickly pivot their operations to produce defense-related equipment.

Companies such as GE Aerospace and Oshkosh, which manufactures vehicles and heavy machinery, were also part of the discussions with Pentagon officials, the report said.

Reuters said it was unable to independently confirm the details. Representatives for the Pentagon, General Motors, Ford, GE Aerospace, and Oshkosh did not immediately respond to requests for comment made outside normal business hours.

A Pentagon official told the Journal the Defense Department “is committed to rapidly expanding the defense industrial base by ⁠leveraging all available commercial solutions and technologies to ensure our warfighters maintain a decisive advantage.”

The outreach to private industry follows a March meeting in which President Trump sat down with executives from seven major defense contractors, as the Pentagon works to replenish stockpiles depleted by recent U.S. military actions, including strikes on Iran.

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and Israel’s operations in Gaza, U.S. reserves of key military equipment—such as artillery systems, munitions, and anti-tank weapons—have been significantly reduced.

Earlier this month, Trump proposed a major increase in defense spending, requesting an additional $500 billion to bring the total military budget to $1.5 trillion, citing the ongoing war with Iran.

{Matzav.com}

YouTube shut down a channel operated by a pro-Iran media group known for widely shared AI-generated Lego-style videos targeting President Donald Trump, the platform confirmed Wednesday, drawing criticism online even as the content continued to circulate elsewhere.

The group, Explosive Media, has gained significant attention during the U.S.-Iran conflict for producing animated clips that have amassed millions of views. While it describes itself as independent, it is broadly suspected of having links to the Iranian government.

A YouTube spokesperson said, “We terminated the channel for violating our spam, deceptive practices and scams policies,” but did not provide further details.

According to the company, the channel had already been taken down on March 27.

Despite the removal, Explosive Media continued publishing similar content on other platforms, including the Elon Musk-owned X and Telegram.

Instagram, which is owned by Meta, also removed the group’s account, according to U.S. media reports, though another account under the same name remained active as of Wednesday.

Meta did not respond to AFP’s request for comment.

Responding to YouTube’s decision, Explosive Media posted on X: “Seriously! Are our LEGO-style animations actually violent?”

Even after being removed from YouTube, the group’s reach appeared largely intact, as its videos continued to be widely reshared by other users on the platform.

The animations, often styled after elements of American pop culture, portray Trump with exaggerated features, including a large yellow head, and depict him as an isolated and erratic figure prone to childish behavior.

Following a two-week ceasefire announced last week, the group released a new video on X with the caption: “TACO will always remain TACO,” referring to the acronym “Trump always chickens out.”

The video, accompanied by dramatic music, shows a Trump-like toy figure meeting with Arab leaders, throwing a chair at U.S. military figures, while Iranian commanders press a red button labeled “Back to the Stone Age,” triggering widespread destruction across the region.

Analysts say such cartoon-style content is becoming an increasingly prominent tool in modern information campaigns, a trend some have labeled the “Legofication” of propaganda.

In recent weeks, similar viral videos have depicted imagined Iranian battlefield successes, global leaders portrayed as dependent on Iran for oil, and even the Strait of Hormuz reimagined as a stylized toll checkpoint.

Much of Explosive Media’s output is produced in English, suggesting it is aimed primarily at international audiences rather than viewers inside Iran, where access to platforms such as X has long been restricted without the use of virtual private networks.

With internet monitoring group NetBlocks reporting an “internet blackout” affecting many users in Iran, the group’s ability to consistently release high-quality content has intensified speculation about potential state backing.

Explosive Media has denied those claims, calling them a “media distortion.”

{Matzav.com}

By Rabbi Pinchos Lipschutz

To say that we are living in historic times would be an understatement. The United States and Israel undertook a major effort to strip Iran of its ability to threaten the world with nuclear weapons. Over the course of more than a month, thousands of sorties were flown over Iranian territory with minimal interference, and over 30,000 bombs were dropped on a wide range of strategic targets. Much of Iran’s military infrastructure was significantly damaged, including key elements of its missile production capability.

However, despite these blows, Iran retains significant residual capacity. It continues to possess enriched uranium necessary for nuclear weapons development, maintains the ability to launch attacks against Israel and several Arab Gulf states, and still holds leverage over global energy markets through its control of the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20% of the world’s oil supply passes.

President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed to a two-week ceasefire, which remains in effect as of this writing. However, negotiations stalled over Iran’s refusal to meet key demands, including a full halt to uranium enrichment, the dismantling of its nuclear infrastructure, an end to supporting terrorist proxies, the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a broader commitment to regional peace. At this point, it remains unclear whether, or when, the United States and Israel will resume military operations against Iran.

Yet, beyond the strategic developments and geopolitical calculations, as Torah Jews, we know that history is never only shaped on the battlefield. Events of this magnitude tend to sharpen our awareness that beneath the headlines and beyond the arena of nations, there are deeper forces at work. Chazal state (Avodah Zora 2b) that Hakadosh Boruch Hu says, “Milchamos Ani osisi, shene’emar Hashem ish milchomah—Hashem is the one who fights the wars,” though we can affect their outcomes through our actions. Many gedolim have spoken of the correlation between Israel being under attack and the country’s ongoing court-imposed battles against yeshivos.

Shuvu, the network of kiruv schools in Eretz Yisroel, is facing a serious financial emergency, prompting three Gedolim to travel to the New York area this week on its behalf. Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Shimon Galei, and Rav Yehuda Silman addressed gatherings, underscoring the critical importance of sustaining an organization that brings children and their families closer to Torah. Support for Torah causes is always essential, but especially in times of danger, when Klal Yisroel needs added zechuyos. Helping bring children tachas kanfei haShechinah is a unique and powerful source of merit, clearly significant enough for these leaders to undertake the journey to strengthen Shuvu’s vital work.

The war brought to mind the statement of the Pesikta Rabbosi (37:2) which I paraphrase here: Rabi Yitzchok stated that the year in which the Melech HaMoshiach will reveal himself, the leaders of the world will be fighting with each other. The leader of Poras (Iran) will be fighting with the leader of Arabia, and the leader of Arabia will go to Edom for advice and help, and the leader of Poras will seek to destroy the world; the nations of the world will become fearful and fall on their faces as they are overcome with pangs similar to birth pangs.

As we entered Nissan, the month of geulah, we were reminded of this Medrash, and as we celebrated Pesach, which is the Yom Tov of geulah, and the fighting continued and then abated, we were hopeful that the war, its bombardments, and Iran’s refusal to accede to America’s demands—which would be expected of any defeated nation in Iran’s situation—are indications that this conflagration can lead to the arrival of Moshiach, which we all long for.

But we have to prove ourselves worthy. Many times during our history, the time was ripe for Moshiach, but the people weren’t, so the opportunity was lost. The period of Sefirah is a most opportune time for us to rectify the sinas chinom that led to the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh and our dispersal into the golus which continues to this day.

On Pesach, we celebrated the birth of our nation, the defining moments when we stood together and became Hashem’s beloved people. The Maharal writes that since the world was created for Torah and for Am Yisroel, with the forming of our people at Yetzias Mitzrayim and Krias Yam Suf, creation was complete.

This historic transformation is reinvigorated each year on Pesach, as we each view ourselves as freshly redeemed from Mitzrayim and welcomed into Hashem’s embrace.

During the uplifting days of Yom Tov and Chol Hamoed, we stepped out of the cumulative noise of everyday life and into a world of clarity and connection. Through the Sedorim, the festive meals, the spirited tefillos, and the gift of being unburdened by routine pressures, we were able to breathe again, spiritually and emotionally. We recharged our neshamos and reconnected with what defines us and with who we are.

Pesach reminds us that we are more than individuals navigating our private struggles. We are part of something larger, something eternal. It calls upon us to remember who we are and why we are here, not just in the abstract, but in our purpose in life itself: in the way we live, the way we treat each other, and the way we carry ourselves in the world.

In a displaced persons camp after the war, a group of survivors gathered to conduct a Pesach Seder. They had all lost their families, homes, and everything familiar. The table before them was bare, aside from some matzah and wine, but they were determined to relive the story of Yetzias Mitzrayim, Klal Yisroel’s and their own individual deliverances from death.

The air was charged with emotion, and when they reached Avodim Hoyinu, one of the men rose to speak.

“We say that we were slaves,” he began, his voice unsteady. “But we have just come from a place worse than slavery. We saw what man is capable of doing. And yet, we are still here. We are still together. We are still Hashem’s people. They tried to break us, to separate us, to erase us, but they failed. We are here. We have persevered, as have our forefathers throughout the ages.”

Shebechol dor vador omdim aleinu lechaloseinu. In every generation, people have risen up to destroy us, to wipe us off the face of this earth. Just as each era has its modes of war, of expression, and of speech, so does each generation experience differing methods of hate and means to kill Jews.

Over the past month, and during Pesach, our brethren in Eretz Yisroel retreated to shelters and safe rooms as they sought protection from an array of missiles and drones sent by enemies bent on their destruction. Tragically several people lost their lives. Despite the loss of property across the country, quite miraculously relatively few were harmed, and a ceasefire of sorts settled in, granting at least a temporary reprieve.

And now, as Yom Tov fades and we gently return to our responsibilities, the challenge begins. It is easy to feel elevated within the embrace of the chag, with its special mitzvos, minhagim, celebrations, and kedusha. Our task now is to carry that elevation forward and allow the clarity, joy, and fulfillment of Pesach to charge our daily lives and keep us on the higher levels we attained, so that we can continue our march toward Kabbolas HaTorah and merit geulah as well.

Pesach leads us into the Sefirah period, with its focus on tikkun hamiddos. The parshiyos of Tazria and Metzora, which we lain this week, form a bridge between Pesach and Shavuos. These parshiyos discuss the affliction of tzora’as and the necessity of removing the afflicted person from among the community and placing him in isolation for weekly periods.

The Medrash (Vayikra Rabbah 16:1) teaches that tzora’as is brought on by engagement in any one of seven corrosive traits: haughty eyes, a deceitful tongue, hands stained with innocent blood, a heart that schemes evil, feet that rush toward wrongdoing, false testimony—and, most grievous of all, the sowing of discord between people. This final sin is often carried out through slander and lies—motzi sheim ra and lashon hora. Thus, the Torah refers to the person with tzora’as as a metzora, for the word is formulated from the words motzi sheim ra. Someone who speaks lashon hora is punished with tzora’as.

In this world, there are four elementary forms, each one on a higher level than the one below it: domeim, tzomei’ach, chai, and medaber—the inert, such as stone and dirt; that which grows, such as grass and trees; that which is alive, such as animals; and, above them all, man, who is granted the gift of speech.

The ability to speak allows us to effectively communicate with each other. With speech, we can learn, grow, develop, study Torah, engage in mitzvos, and be part of a cohesive social fabric. Thus, Targum Onkelos famously says that the words in Bereishis that state that man was alive, “Vayehi Ha’adam lenefesh chaya,” indicate that “vehavas b’adam ruach memalela,” man was given the power of speech. The ability to speak gave man his spirit and life.

Life is that ability to connect with other people—the experience of joining with others, interacting with them, and using words to convey emotion. The breath invested into each word is the very essence of life itself.

Humans were given the gift of speech to enable us to live an exalted life, connected with Hashem and Klal Yisroel. Someone who misuses that gift to cause dissension and separate people from each other is therefore isolated from everyone else and set apart.

Bodod. Alone. Because he rejected the gift of life and used his words to create division and hate, he is forced to withdraw from society, deprived of the essential joy of life and social interaction.

We received the Torah when we were united, k’ish echod beleiv echod, and all of Klal Yisroel became areivim zeh bozeh, interconnected. Yisroel v’Oraisa v’Kudsha Brich Hu chad hu. We are connected to each other, to the Torah, and to Hashem as one.

Hatred causes dissension, disconnects people from each other and from Hashem, and prevents Him from returning His Shechinah to us in the Bais Hamikdosh.

Those who recognize that all of Klal Yisroel is one body that is meant to be united are not encumbered by pettiness or jealousy. They understand that our neshamos emanate from the same place beneath the Kisei Hakavod. When they see another Jew, they feel that connection, unfettered by the externals that often distract people from one another.

Man is composed of two parts, chomer and tzurah. Chomer refers to the physical side of a person: the body, material concerns, and the day-to-day demands of life. Tzurah, on the other hand, is the inner essence of a person, the spiritual core: his character, values, and soul.

While both are part of who we are, the true self is the tzurah. That is the deeper identity of a person, the part that gives meaning and direction to everything else. The chomer is only the outer layer, like a garment that covers what is inside. When a person becomes overly focused on his chomer, he becomes absorbed in the external and superficial, losing sight of what life is truly about.

A person who lives only in the world of chomer naturally becomes self-centered. Without a strong inner tzurah, he lacks the depth to properly appreciate others. He may become consumed with comparison, jealousy, and resentment. Other people’s success threatens him rather than inspiring him. Instead of feeling connected to others, he views himself as being in competition with them. This makes genuine unity impossible for him, and he ends up isolated, not only socially, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

That can lead to lashon hora and negativity. When a person is focused only on appearances and externals, he is more likely to judge, criticize, and tear others down, because he sees life through the lens of ego and insecurity rather than truth and connection.

In this sense, tzora’as is not just a physical affliction, but a wake-up call. It forces a person who has become overly focused on external appearances to confront something deeper—namely, his vulnerability and imperfection. Through that experience, he is meant to pause and reflect, to step back from the surface of life and ask what truly defines him.

It is an invitation to rediscover the tzurah within, the inner self that connects rather than divides, that builds unity rather than isolation, and that gives a person meaning beyond the physical world.

The posuk in Bereishis (2:18) states, “Lo tov heyos ha’adam levado—It is not good for a person to be alone.” As Hashem was creating the world, He declared that loneliness is unhealthy for a person, and He therefore fashioned a partner for him. Man is not meant to exist in isolation. He is meant to live in relationship, connection, and community.

This idea is not only spiritual, but also reflects what we see in human experience. Modern research and medical studies have shown that people who maintain friendships and meaningful social bonds tend to live healthier lives. Isolation, by contrast, is damaging to body and soul.

This goes even deeper on a spiritual level. A person who is consumed with lashon hara, hotza’as sheim ra and rechilus ultimately becomes a divider of people. Instead of building connections, he creates distance. Instead of strengthening relationships, he weakens them. And in doing so, he brings about his own punishment, because the world he creates is one of suspicion, mistrust, and loneliness, where people pull away from him in return.

He is, in effect, left alone in the very world he helped shape.

In contrast, a person of tzurah, rooted in arvus and animated by a ruach memalela, is sensitive to the neshomah of another person. He does not merely see people as bodies or external figures, but as inner worlds. He feels connection rather than competition, unity rather than division.

Great people, in this sense, experience genuine joy in being with others. They value being part of something larger than themselves. They look for ways to uplift, to support, and to contribute. They seek out people not to use them, but to help them, because they understand that we are all fundamentally one.

Everyone can use encouragement and some chizuk. Let people know you care. Even a small expression of interest, a sincere question, or a moment of attention can mean a lot to anyone.

A person who speaks lashon hara is not simply speaking negatively about others. He is trying to diminish them, to strip them of their kavod, their self-worth and the respect others have for them. When a person loses the respect of those around him, he often begins to lose respect for himself as well. In that sense, lashon hara can not only damage a reputation, but it can also erode a person’s spirit and cause him to withdraw from others.

This is reflected in the punishment of “vehisgiro shivas yomim,” where the person with tzora’as is confined and isolated, given space away from others until he learns once again how to value them.

With the gift of speech, ruach memalela, we have the ability to build people, restore dignity, and breathe life into someone who is struggling.

During Sefirah, we recall and mourn the talmidim of Rabi Akiva who passed away because “lo nahagu kavod zeh bazeh,” they did not treat one another with proper respect. Kavod—respect, validation and acknowledgment—is not an extra layer of refinement. It is life itself. A person needs kavod, self-worth, and the respect of others in order to function and live.

Just as the destruction of the Bais Hamikdosh was caused by sinas chinom, it will be rebuilt through love and respect for others, through hearts and neshamos that are open to one another.

We can prepare for the coming of Moshiach with every word we speak and every interaction we have. Each moment of restraint from negativity, each effort to uplift rather than diminish, and each act of restoring another person’s kavod is another step toward the coming of Moshiach.

May we merit to internalize the lessons of Tazria and Metzora—the power of speech, the sanctity of connection, and the value of every Yid. And through that, may we strengthen unity among Klal Yisroel and hasten the arrival of the day when sinas chinom will be erased. Let us return to where we were at the time we became a nation, with complete unity, k’ish echod beleiv echod, so that we may merit the arrival of Moshiach very soon.

President Donald Trump said Wednesday that the heads of Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold direct talks on Thursday, a development that comes as discussions over a possible ceasefire continue.

“Trying to get a little breathing room between Israel and Lebanon. It has been a long time since the two leaders have spoken, like 34 years. It will happen tomorrow. Nice!” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

His comments followed a report published Wednesday night by the Financial Times indicating that a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon could be announced in the near future.

According to the report, two Lebanese officials familiar with the situation said a truce between Israel and the Hezbollah terrorist organization might take effect “this week”, likely after Israeli forces complete their capture of the strategic town of Bint Jbeil in southern Lebanon.

At the same time, Israel’s Security Cabinet convened Wednesday night and continued meeting into the early hours of Thursday. The session lasted roughly four hours and ended without a decision regarding a ceasefire.

Following the meeting, an Israeli official said, “at this stage, we are not approaching a ceasefire.”

Earlier in the day, the Lebanese newspaper An-Nahar reported that indirect negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, conducted with U.S. involvement, have produced agreement on a preliminary framework. While short of a formal ceasefire, the arrangement is intended to serve as a stepping stone toward broader talks focused on disarming Hezbollah and potentially moving toward a peace agreement.

The framework, according to the report, aims to correct weaknesses in the November 2024 ceasefire arrangement, which did not succeed in stripping Hezbollah of its weapons and failed to significantly reduce the toll of ongoing Israeli military operations on Lebanese civilians.

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Newly declassified documents released by the House Intelligence Committee, following action by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, are drawing renewed scrutiny to the origins of the Ukraine impeachment proceedings, offering additional details about how the complaint against President Donald Trump developed and was handled, The Federalist reports today.

The materials include previously undisclosed interview transcripts with Inspector General Michael Atkinson, along with related documentation. Taken together, they outline how a complaint tied to Trump’s 2019 phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was processed and ultimately advanced to Congress.

According to the records, the complaint—filed by then–National Security Council staffer Eric Ciaramella—alleged that Trump sought to influence the 2020 election during the call. Ciaramella claimed that Trump was attempting to “solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 U.S. elections” and was encouraging Ukraine to investigate his “main political rival,” Joe Biden. He also suggested that Rudy Giuliani and Attorney General Bill Barr were involved.

The documents show that Atkinson permitted the complaint to move forward despite it being based on indirect information rather than firsthand knowledge. At the time, whistleblower complaints had traditionally required direct knowledge, but that standard was modified, allowing second- and third-hand accounts to be considered.

Atkinson addressed the timing of that change in the newly released material, stating, “So the timing is unfortunate. It looks suspicious, I get that.”

The timeline surrounding the call has also drawn attention. The July 25, 2019 conversation occurred one day after Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s congressional testimony, which marked a turning point in the Russia investigation. The proximity of the two events has been noted in discussions about the sequence of developments.

The complaint itself relied on accounts that were passed along through multiple officials. According to the documents, individuals within the National Security Council relayed summaries of the call to one another, with at least one official relying on a transcript they had only briefly reviewed. That information was then conveyed to Ciaramella and ultimately submitted to the inspector general.

The released materials indicate that this chain of reporting involved several layers of communication between the original call and the final complaint. In contrast, the official transcript of the call—made public in 2019—provides a direct record of the conversation itself.

The call transcript shows Trump referencing public matters, including Joe Biden’s past statements about U.S. loan guarantees to Ukraine and the dismissal of a prosecutor connected to the Burisma investigation. These references were part of broader discussions already circulating publicly at the time.

Additional details that later surfaced, including materials from Hunter Biden’s laptop, included communications related to Burisma’s internal concerns and expectations regarding investigations. These elements became part of the broader context surrounding the Ukraine issue.

The documents also revisit the internal handling of the complaint and the standards applied. Historically, whistleblower systems were designed to rely on firsthand reporting to reduce the risk of inaccuracies. In this case, however, the complaint moved forward despite relying on multiple layers of indirect information.

The records further detail how information about the call moved between officials before reaching the inspector general, highlighting the complexity of how the complaint was assembled.

The documents also shed light on Ciaramella’s prior role within the National Security Council, including involvement in Ukraine-related policy matters during the Obama administration. His background and connections to the issue became part of later discussions during the impeachment process.

During congressional questioning at the time, issues surrounding contacts between Ciaramella and members of Congress were raised. In one exchange referenced in the materials, clarification was offered regarding the nature of those interactions and how they were described publicly.

The broader role of media coverage during the impeachment proceedings is also revisited in light of the new material. At the time, the identity of the whistleblower was widely shielded, limiting public discussion of his background and involvement.

The newly released documents add further detail to the sequence of events that led to Trump’s impeachment, which became the third such proceeding in U.S. history. They provide additional insight into how the complaint was developed, reviewed, and ultimately used as the basis for congressional action.

While the documents offer more information about the process, they also arrive years after the events in question, revisiting a chapter that played a central role in the political landscape leading up to the 2020 election.

{Matzav.com}

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Wednesday pushed back against claims that high taxes are driving wealthy residents out of the city, arguing instead that the real departure is among working-class New Yorkers struggling to afford living costs.

The idea that affluent residents have been leaving in large numbers for lower-tax states such as Florida gained traction ahead of the 2025 mayoral race, particularly as Mamdani promoted significant tax hikes to fund expanded social programs. Speaking at a Tax Day event beneath a “Tax The Rich” banner, he rejected those claims and said the narrative does not reflect reality.

“So for all of the discussion of the imagined exodus that would take place were we to tax the wealthiest New Yorkers by the appropriate amount — I say imagined because before I was a mayor I was a state legislator and I was part of an effort to increase taxes on millionaires at that time — we were told the same thing then — and what we find now is that we have more millionaires today than we did at that time even after having passed that tax,” Mamdani said.

He argued that the focus should instead be on those being priced out of the city. “And so for all of that conversation about this imagined exodus, we have to reckon with the very real exodus that we are seeing in the city, an exodus of working class people, an exodus of those who cannot afford to live here,” Mamdani continued.

Earlier this year, New York Governor Kathy Hochul also addressed the issue, urging wealthy individuals who relocated to places like Florida to return, noting that a sizable portion of the state’s tax base had shifted to areas such as Palm Beach.

Mamdani pointed to broader migration trends among residents seeking more affordable living elsewhere. “For many who work here who now find their residence in Jersey City or in Connecticut or in Pennsylvania, anywhere else where their dollar can go a little bit further,” Mamdani said. “And we’ve seen just in a snapshot from 2000 to 2020, the city lost 200,000 of its black residents.”

Following Mamdani’s primary victory in June 2025, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis suggested that the mayor’s policies could accelerate departures from New York, particularly among higher-income residents.

“If this socialist mayor candidate wins – you’re gonna see real estate value skyrocket even more in Palm Beach, because people are gonna get out of that city,” DeSantis said. “As bad as DeBlasio was, this guy is like going to be way, way, worse.”

Migration trends in recent years have shown movement from states like New York and California to states such as Florida, which has no state income tax and operates with a budget comparable in size to New York City’s. A 2023 Siena College poll found that 27% of New York residents were considering leaving the state within five years, while 31% said they planned to relocate upon retirement.

{Matzav.com}

Sen. Ted Cruz sharply attacked commentator Tucker Carlson on Wednesday, accusing him of adopting extreme views amid an ongoing dispute over President Donald Trump’s rhetoric and the broader Iran conflict, turning into a “deranged, Leftist psycho” who “loves Sharia” law.

The clash intensified after a post circulated by Carlson’s media network on X stating, “Muslims love [Yoshka].”

Responding to that message, the Tucker Carlson Network added, “That’s why Donald Trump’s painting depicting himself as the Son of God offended the president of Iran. It was an attack on his religion as well as Christianity,” referencing controversy surrounding a recent post by Trump.

The uproar began after the president shared an AI-generated image on Truth Social that appeared to portray him as Jesus, following a disagreement with Pope Leo XIV regarding the war with Iran. The image drew criticism from some of Trump’s supporters, including Joe Rogan and Marjorie Taylor Greene, and was later removed.

Trump maintained that he viewed the image differently, saying he believed it depicted him as a doctor, and denied that its removal was due to backlash.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian also weighed in, criticizing the post in a message on X. “His Holiness Pope Leo XIV … I condemn the insult to Your Excellency on behalf of the great nation of Iran, and declare that the desecration of Jesus, the prophet of peace and brotherhood, is not acceptable to any free person,” he said.

Cruz’s criticism of Carlson escalated in a separate social media post, where the Texas senator accused the commentator of going too far in his positions, calling him a “deranged, Leftist psycho” who “loves Sharia” law.

The dispute between the two figures is not new. Carlson has become increasingly critical of Trump since the outbreak of the Iran war, drawing repeated responses from Cruz.

After Carlson objected to Trump’s demand for Iran to accept an “unconditional surrender” last month, Cruz pushed back forcefully, saying the position was “to the left of [Sen.] Chris Murphy.”

“That is more anti-American rhetoric than anything I’ve ever heard Bernie Sanders say,” Cruz said on his podcast. “Tucker continues to go to new lows and new lows. The more Tucker Carlson attacks Donald Trump the more fringe he gets.”

Carlson has also faced criticism directly from Trump. In a recent podcast, Carlson accused the president of crossing a line in his rhetoric toward Iran.

“The message of all faith at the biggest picture level is the message in our Bible, which is you are not God. And only if you think you are, do you talk this way,” Carlson said. “But it’s not just mockery of Islam. And no president should mock Islam. That’s not your job. This is not a theocracy.”

Trump responded to Carlson in an interview, dismissing him outright. “Tucker’s a low IQ person that has absolutely no idea what’s going on,” the president said. “He calls me all the time; I don’t respond to his calls. I don’t deal with him. I like dealing with smart people, not fools.”