An Iranian military official attempted to flip the narrative on recent developments, echoing language used by Israel while asserting that Tehran now has “complete control over the skies” of Israel.
Colonel Iman Tajik of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps made the statement in an apparent bid to bolster morale within Iran, following consecutive days of Israeli airstrikes across Iranian territory.
He declared: “Tonight’s missile attack showed that we have gained complete control over the skies of the occupied territories and that its residents have become completely defenseless against Iranian missile attacks.”
Despite Tajik’s claim, Israel has successfully intercepted the majority of incoming Iranian missiles and drones using its advanced air defense systems. Nonetheless, a few projectiles have penetrated the defenses, resulting in casualties and significant destruction.
{Matzav.com}Zohran Mamdani, who is among the leading contenders in the upcoming Democratic primary for New York City mayor, declined to denounce the controversial slogan “globalize the intifada” during an appearance on The Bulwark podcast released Tuesday, Jewish Insider reports. Mamdani – who has been endorsed by socialist and self-hating-Jew Bernie Sanders – argued that the phrase is a reflection of Palestinian calls for justice.
When asked by host Tim Miller about the use of such language, particularly in connection to antisemitism on the political left, Mamdani framed the phrase as a statement of solidarity with the Palestinian cause. “To me, ultimately, what I hear in so many is a desperate desire for equality and equal rights in standing up for Palestinian human rights,” Mamdani said. The Queens assemblyman, who has consistently taken anti-Israel positions, noted, “And I think what’s difficult also is that the very word has been used by the Holocaust Museum when translating the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising into Arabic, because it’s a word that means struggle.”
Mamdani, identifying as a Muslim and reflecting on his personal experiences after 9/11, argued that Arabic terminology is often mischaracterized. “As a Muslim man who grew up post-9/11, I’m all too familiar in the way in which Arabic words can be twisted, can be distorted, can be used to justify any kind of meaning,” he said.
Although he did not explicitly weigh in on whether such rhetoric should be deemed acceptable, Mamdani stressed the importance of ensuring safety for the Jewish community. “I think that’s where it leaves me with a sense that what we need to do is focus on keeping Jewish New Yorkers safe,” he said, acknowledging that antisemitism is a “real issue” he intends to confront as mayor. “The question of the permissibility of language is something that I haven’t ventured into.”
Throughout the race, Mamdani has drawn scrutiny for his position on Israel. He has refused to affirm the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish state and pledged to divest from Israel if he becomes mayor — positions that have caused concern among many in the Jewish community.
Andrew Cuomo, who currently leads in the polls, has sharply criticized Mamdani’s stance and made combating antisemitism central to his campaign. Addressing the slogan in question, Cuomo said it is a dangerous message. He warned, “Such phrases are giving license to come after Jews.”
In recent weeks, major Jewish organizations, including the UJA-Federation of New York, issued a call for clarity from all mayoral hopefuls. They urged candidates “to unequivocally condemn dangerous rhetoric — such as ‘globalize the intifada’ — that has inspired deadly acts against Jews, most recently in Colorado, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania.”
{Matzav.com}
In response to a wave of public inquiries amid ongoing rocket attacks and wartime anxiety, the Rosh Yeshiva of Orchos Yosher and Moetzes Gedolei HaTorah member Rav Shraga Shteinman offered detailed guidance on practical and spiritual matters, ranging from the use of bomb shelters to yeshiva operations and travel during the crisis. Central to his remarks was a powerful reaffirmation of the Chazon Ish’s historic assurance regarding the spiritual protection of Bnei Brak.
Chazon Ish’s Promise and the Fear Among Residents
When asked whether the recent rocket strike in Pardes Katz invalidates the Chazon Ish’s promise of protection over Bnei Brak, Rav Shteinman responded by referencing the posuk in Bereishis in which Hashem promises Yaakov Avinu protection—yet Yaakov was still “greatly afraid.”
“Was the promise invalid? Of course not,” Rav Shteinman said. “But Chazal teach us that chait—sin—can interfere with even the greatest promise.”
He clarified that the Chazon Ish, based on firsthand testimony, stated that Bnei Brak is “surrounded by pages of Gemara”—a spiritual safeguard not dependent on city boundaries or municipal governance. However, Rav Shteinman cautioned, in areas surrounded by the spiritual equivalent of internet content rather than Torah, the protection may falter due to chait.
On Using Bomb Shelters
Responding to questions about entering shelters, Rav Shteinman emphasized: “There is no halachic prohibition anywhere in the world against going into a shelter. Doing so is not a lack of emunah. It’s common sense.” He dismissed those who refuse to take cover out of misguided faith as “fools,” especially when shelters or protected rooms are easily accessible.
However, in cases where no shelter is nearby or waking children in the middle of the night would pose harm, and especially if the shelter itself presents spiritual risks, Rav Shteinman said, “That’s a different matter. In such cases, we rely only on our Father in Heaven.”
Conflicting Messages from Other Rabbonim
When told that other rabbonim have questioned the Chazon Ish’s promise or its authenticity, Rav Shteinman replied that those who heard directly from Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l—and who knew how often he repeated the Chazon Ish’s words—cannot simply rewrite history. “Even my uncle, Rav Yitzchok Zilberstein, has spoken clearly about the continued relevance of the Chazon Ish’s promise in places where Shabbos is observed,” he said.
Still, he urged the public to take every reasonable safety measure: avoid standing near windows or in open spaces during sirens. “But to erase such clear and longstanding words that generations have relied upon? I am not great enough to do that.”
Citing Rav Dov Landau’s Comments
Asked about reports that Rav Dov Landau had said not to rely on miracles, Rav Shteinman affirmed: “Of course one may not rely on miracles.” He explained that sometimes overconfidence can lead people to neglect tefillah, much like in the time of King Chizkiyahu, who hid the Book of Remedies because people stopped praying. “Perhaps,” he added, “this is a wake-up call for us to lift our eyes Heavenward in tefillah.”
Yeshiva Operations Must Continue
Rav Shteinman reiterated his firm directive from the start of the war: Every yeshiva in the country, from north to south, must remain open without interruption. “If bochurim are left without a structured learning environment, especially when there’s this urge to constantly check the news, the spiritual risk is greater than any threat from Iran.”
One large yeshiva relocated, but Rav Steinman noted that it was for unrelated reasons.
Maintaining Normal Sederim
To yeshivos considering starting Shacharis later due to interrupted sleep from sirens, Rav Shteinman was adamant: “Absolutely not. The yeshiva schedule is sacred. Once bochurim feel the schedule is loosening, it turns into a ‘yeshivas bein hazmanim’ atmosphere and everything falls apart. Better a few boys missing Shacharis than lowering the entire standard.”
Travel, Safety, and Returning to Yeshiva
Asked whether a boy who returned home should wait out the danger due to perceived safety at home, Rav Shteinman dismissed the idea: “What if this continues another month? Every moment in yeshiva is precious. No place is safer than the beis medrash.”
To a maggid shiur concerned because his wife fears his travel between cities, he responded: “Shluchei mitzvah are not harmed—not on their way there and not on their return. There’s no need to worry.” He did recommend returning before dark, noting that rocket fire is less frequent during the day.
On Yeshivos Lacking Adequate Shelter
For yeshivos without enough protected spaces, Rav Shteinman advised against running to stairwells in neighboring buildings. “The safest place in the world is the beis medrash—stay as close to it as possible. The farther you go, the less protected you may be.”
Concerns About Improper Conduct in Shared Shelters
In cases where mixed or secular neighbors act inappropriately in shared shelters, Rav Steinman advised: “If there’s pritzus, that is the real danger—it’s worse than anything. Stay home and go to an interior room.”
If a neighbor brings a smartphone to the shelter, he said, “Unless he’s showing inappropriate content to others, it’s not your concern. Take a Tehillim and focus on it.”
Attending Simchos During Wartime
Regarding a distant wedding scheduled for the afternoon, Rav Shteinman said that if one’s presence will bring joy to the chassan and kallah, “then it’s a mitzvah and shluchei mitzvah einam nizokim.”
Caring for Elderly Parents During Sirens
To someone caring for a frail elderly mother who cannot be moved during sirens, Rav Shteinman responded emotionally: “She is your protection. The merit of honoring your mother is your shield. During the siren, everyone in the home should stand around her—that is your safest place.”
{Matzav.com Israel}
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was taken by ambulance to a Washington, D.C. hospital on Tuesday following what officials described as a medical issue, according to CNN.
“Secretary Noem had an allergic reaction today,” Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin told CNN. “She was transported to the hospital out of an abundance of caution. She is alert and recovering.”
CNN noted that multiple Secret Service agents were stationed at various entrances around the hospital’s emergency room where Noem was receiving treatment.
Noem, 53, previously served as both governor of South Dakota and a member of Congress representing the state. President Donald Trump appointed her to head the Department of Homeland Security shortly after his re-election in November, making her a key part of his second-term Cabinet, especially as he prioritizes stricter immigration policy. Her nomination was approved by the Senate in late January.
On Monday, Noem posted on X in support of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” a comprehensive immigration and border security package currently under review by the Senate.
“The Trump administration will stop at nothing to secure America’s borders and Make America Safe Again,” Noem wrote. “The One Big Beautiful Bill gives us the means to do that.”
{Matzav.com}
During a moving address at a welcome reception held in his honor in the United States, Slabodka Rosh Yeshiva Rav Moshe Hillel Hirsch, who is currently visiting America to lead a fundraising campaign for the Keren Olam HaTorah fund, delivered heartfelt words about the ongoing crisis in Eretz Yisroel.
Rav Hirsch implored American Jews to deeply feel the pain and anxiety of their brethren in Israel. “Moshe Rabbeinu went down to Mitzrayim, saw the suffering of his brothers, and cried with them,” he said. “He wished he could help. Chazal say that Moshe acted with true brotherhood—achvah—and that’s why he merited the sneh (burning bush).”
Drawing from that message, the Rosh Yeshiva said, “We’re speaking about our own flesh and blood. Anyone with relatives there knows the fear they are living with. And every Yid should feel that fear with them.
“Those who are there can’t sleep at night because of the fear and anxiety—each missile launch brings terror that it may land near them. Some people don’t even have what to eat. They live in constant uncertainty, and we need to daven, to think about their reality, and to be emotionally present with them,” he said.
Rav Hirsch went on to emphasize a second key point: “Everything happening now is from Hakadosh Baruch Hu. It’s not the Iranians. They are merely the tool through which Hashem’s will is carried out. We don’t know why, but we know clearly that it is all from Hashem. That is why we must turn to Him, to beg Him to remove His anger and bring an end to this war.”
The Rosh Yeshiva added a third fundamental: “We must truly believe that our tefillos have power. If we really believed they worked, we would daven more. There’s an obligation to feel that our prayers can make a difference—they can change everything.”
He concluded by stressing these three foundations: “We must feel the pain of our fellow Jews. We must know that everything is from Hashem. And we must believe that our tefillos help. If we internalize these truths, Hashem will hear our prayers, bring yeshuah, and all will be good, be’ezras Hashem.”
{Matzav.com}
