[Video below.] A ceremony was held this evening marking the return of an ancient stone from the Kosel to its original place.
The massive stone, weighing roughly five tons, was dislodged nearly two millennia ago by the Roman Tenth Legion during the churban of the Second Beis Hamikdash. In recent years, it had been exhibited at the Knesset and later placed on loan at Ben-Gurion Airport.
The decision to bring the stone back to its historic setting was reached following a meeting held ahead of Rosh Hashanah, in which Knesset Speaker Amir Ochana participated together with the rov of the Kosel, Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz.
Speaking at the ceremony, Ochana reflected on the stone’s long journey and meaning. “If stones could speak, this heavy stone, with thousands of years of history upon it, would tell of generations of Jews who came to pray at the Bais Hamikdosh. We wish to close this chapter of its wandering and place it in a permanent location, where it can tell the stories it has witnessed.”
Rav Rabinowitz emphasized the spiritual significance of the moment, describing the return as an act of restoration. “Returning this stone to the ruins here is a great rectification. It is a declaration that we do not forget the holy stones and we maintain their sanctity.”
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{Matzav.com}
President Donald Trump addressed questions Monday about Israel’s recent strike in Gaza, telling reporters that Washington is “looking into” whether the operation complied with the ceasefire agreement. His remarks came after Israel carried out a targeted attack over the weekend that killed Ra’ad Sa’ad, a senior Hamas commander and the group’s second-in-command in Gaza.
According to Trump, the United States is reviewing the circumstances surrounding Sa’ad’s elimination and assessing whether the action crossed any agreed-upon lines under the current truce.
Despite reports suggesting strain between Washington and Jerusalem, the President pushed back strongly on claims of tension with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu. “My relationship with Bibi is very good. We took Iran out of the game, and because of that we can make peace. We have a good relationship with everyone in the Middle East,” Trump said.
The President’s comments followed an Axios report claiming that the White House delivered a sharp private message to Netanyahu after the strike. The report described the communication as a reflection of growing frustration within the Trump administration over Israel’s conduct and unresolved disputes regarding the next phase of the Gaza agreement, as well as Israel’s broader regional policies.
According to the report, senior figures in the administration — including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and presidential adviser Jared Kushner — were said to be increasingly dissatisfied with Netanyahu’s approach.
Axios also cited a senior US official who said the White House warned Netanyahu that violating the agreement could harm both his own standing and President Trump’s reputation following the successful brokering of the ceasefire. An Israeli official, while acknowledging displeasure in Washington, characterized the message as more restrained and said it focused primarily on concerns over how certain Arab states perceived the strike.
{Matzav.com}
Newly released footage shows former President of Israel’s Supreme Court, Aharon Barak, stating unequivocally that yeshiva students whose full-time occupation is Torah study – Torasam umnosom – should be granted a military exemption without limitation.
The footage, published Monday evening by Channel 13 reporter Yoeli Brim, captures Barak expressing support for exempting bnei yeshiva who are fully committed to learning.
In the recording, Barak says: “Yeshiva students whose Torah study is their full occupation, and who want to learn Torah, should be given an exemption, without limits, whatever the number may be.” He made the remarks during a Chanukah candle-lighting ceremony that he held together with Rabbi Ido Weber.
Barak added that, in his view, the appropriate framework is a differentiated system: “The solution should be that those whose Torah is their life’s work are released, and everyone else will go to the army like the rest of the people of Israel.”
The comments come amid intense national debate over the future of Israel’s draft law and the status of yeshiva students.
{Matzav.com}
[Video below.] At the mesibas Chanukah in Slabodka Yeshiva, where hundreds gathered in Bnei Brak under the leadership of the Roshei Yeshiva Maran Hagaon Rav Dov Landau and Maran Hagaon Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, Rav Landau instructed that the lyrics of a long-established song be changed, specifically to express opposition to Israel’s Attorney General, Gali Baharav-Miara, whom he described as an adversary of the olam haTorah.
According to the custom in Slabodka, the yeshiva sings the pasuk-based song, “Zedim helitzuni ad me’od, miTorasecha lo natisi” at the Chanukah mesibah each year. Hundreds once again broke into the song on the first night of Chanukah, but this time the moment took an unexpected turn.
In the middle of the singing, Rav Landau instructed his close aides to alter the wording. Addressing the students, he explained that in today’s climate, the term “zedim” (“the arrogant ones” or “the wicked”) refers to the Attorney General, whom he said has been persistently and aggressively targeting the Torah world.
Rav Landau then directed the talmidim to change the word “זדים” to “זדות,” reshaping the song so that its intention would be explicitly directed at Baharav-Miara, expressing a hope that her efforts against Torah institutions would fail, while reaffirming the commitment contained in the verse: “From Your Torah I have not strayed.”
The talmidim immediately adopted the new wording, and the energized singing continued for several minutes.
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A SHATTERING ACT OF HATE has ripped through our community!
On Sunday December 14, 2025, a day of joy and light was brutally transformed into a scene of unimaginable horror at Bondi Beach. The annual Chanukah by the Sea celebration, a beacon of unity for the Jewish community, was mercilessly targeted in a DEADLY TERRORIST ATTACK!
THIS IS NOT JUST NEWS—THIS IS A CATASTROPHE!
At least two armed fanatics opened fire on innocent men, women, and children gathered to light the menorah, turning a celebration of faith into a massacre. Multiple lives were extinguished in a blaze of hate, and dozens more are fighting for their lives with critical injuries.
THIS WAS A STRIKE AGAINST US ALL!
This cold-blooded rampage is a vile act of antisemitic terror that has been condemned by every decent voice across Australia and the globe. But condemnation is not enough!
WE MUST ACT NOW!
* Families are shattered!
* Friends are grieving in shock!
* Survivors need immediate, sustained support!
THE NEED IS CRITICAL. THE TIME FOR SOLIDARITY IS OVERDUE! We must rally immediately to support the victims, their families, and the wounded community. DO NOT let this act of hatred triumph!
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Rabbi Aycee Abrahams
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