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As medical science advances, new halachic questions continue to emerge, especially around Yom Kippur fasting. This year, a significant new ruling was issued regarding patients with implanted artificial hearts.

At a halachic-medical discussion held at the residence of the Rishon LeTzion, nosi of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, Rav Yitzchak Yosef, the matter of artificial heart recipients fasting on Yom Kippur was raised. The session was joined by Rav Yaakov Shakul, head of the Eshkolot organization and medical advisor to leading rabbonim.

Rav Shakul has devoted recent months to compiling a comprehensive volume outlining various medical conditions and halachic guidance for each, ensuring rabbonim are well-informed when responding to questions from patients regarding fasting on Yom Kippur.

In his presentation to the Rishon LeTzion, Rav Shakul outlined the halachic dilemma: some doctors argue that a patient with a successfully implanted artificial heart may in fact be healthier than the average person, while others stress that there is always a risk the artificial heart could suddenly stop functioning, even if such cases are rare.

Rav Yosef affirmed the cautious view, ruling unequivocally: “Tell your patients who have had an artificial heart implanted that anyone who heeds daas Torah should not fast, and there is absolutely no concern in doing so.”

The Rishon LeTzion further emphasized that questions of medical halacha on Yom Kippur, though not numerous, are highly sensitive and should always be brought to rabbinic authority. He urged patients to seek guidance before the fast whenever possible.

{Matzav.com Israel}

War Secretary Pete Hegseth addressed a rare gathering of the nation’s senior military officers on Tuesday, declaring that “dudes with dresses” had no place in the U.S. fighting ranks and insisting that all who serve must reach “male-level” performance benchmarks to withstand “life and death” combat conditions.

Speaking at Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia, Hegseth emphasized that if women or “weak men” cannot pass those standards, “so be it.”

“Frankly, it’s tiring to look out at combat formations — and frankly any formations — and see fat troops,” he continued. “It’s unacceptable to see fat generals and admirals in the halls of the Pentagon, and leading all around the world.

“It’s a bad look, and it’s not who we are!” he said.

The secretary explained that his new physical requirements would be formally issued to every branch of the military, with updated instructions for soldiers and officers across the board.

According to Hegseth, the policy shift is aimed at rebuilding toughness within the services while carrying out President Trump’s demand to remove “woke” practices from the armed forces.

“No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction or gender delusion, no more debris. I’ve said before and will say again, we are done with that ….,” he declared.

Daily training will become mandatory for combat troops, he said, and personnel will be tested twice annually to verify that they meet the “highest male standard.”

The 45-year-old cabinet member has occasionally been filmed joining soldiers in early morning workouts and even once challenged Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to a “Pete and Bobby Challenge” designed to encourage nationwide fitness.

“I don’t want my son serving alongside troops who are out of shape, or in combat units with females who can’t meet the same combat arms physical standards as men, or troops who are not fully proficient on their assigned weapons platformer tasks, or under a leader who was ‘the first’ but not ‘the best,’” he said.

“Standards must be uniform, gender-neutral, and high. If not, they’re not standards. They’re just suggestions. Suggestions that get our sons and daughters killed.”

He went on to accuse the military of advancing officers based on politics rather than ability.

“The era of politically correct, overly sensitive, don’t-hurt-anyone’s-feelings leadership ends right now at every level,” he announced, urging any officers opposed to his strategy to “do the honorable thing and resign.”

“No more identity months, DEI offices, dudes in dresses, no more climate change worship, no more division, distraction or gender delusion, no more debris. I’ve said before and will say again, we are done with that s–t,” he reiterated.

“More leadership changes will be made,” he vowed. “Of that, I’m certain.”

Hegseth noted that he had already removed numerous senior figures from their posts, accusing them of advancing because of DEI rules rather than accomplishment.

“As you have seen and the media has obsessed over, I have fired a number of senior officers since taking over,” he stated. “The previous chairman, other members of the Joint Chiefs [of Staff], combatant commanders and other commanders.”

“The rationale for me has been straightforward: It’s nearly impossible to change a culture with the same people who helped create or even benefited from that culture, even if that culture was created by a previous president and previous secretary.”

Among those dismissed were former Joint Chiefs Chairman C.Q. Brown, a Black Air Force general, and Adm. Lisa Franchetti, who had been the Navy’s first female top commander.

Hegseth explained that his philosophy in these decisions — and in his leadership overall — was direct: “When in doubt, assess the situation, follow your gut, and if it’s the best for the military, make a change.”

“Those officers were following elected political leadership, an entire generation of generals and admirals were told that they must parrot the insane fallacy that, quote, ‘our diversity is our strength,’” he said. “Of course, we know our unity is our strength.”

He acknowledged that many of those leaders had implemented “woke” policies because they were instructed to do so under the Biden administration.

“They had to put out dizzying DEI and LGBTQI+ statements. They were told females and males are the same thing, or that males who think they’re females [are] totally normal. They were told that we need a green fleet and electric tanks. They were told to kick out Americans who refused an emergency vaccine,” he said.

“They followed civilian policies set by foolish and reckless political leaders. Our job — my job — has been to determine which leaders simply did what they must to answer the prerogatives of civilian leadership, and which leaders are truly invested in the Woke Department and therefore incapable of embracing the War Department and executing new lawful orders.”

With those loyal to DEI removed, Hegseth said his priority now is rebuilding a culture grounded in a “warrior ethos.”

“For the past eight months, we’ve gotten a good look under the hood of our officer corps. We’ve done our best to thoroughly assess the human terrain,” he said. “We’ve had to make trade-offs and some difficult decisions; it’s more of an art than a science. We have been and will continue to be judicious, but also expeditious.”

{Matzav.com}

Tens of thousands of Yidden filled the Kosel Plaza and surrounding alleys tonight, Erev Yom Kippur 5786, for the climactic Selichos gathering that concludes the season’s tefillos at the Makom HaMikdash. From the early evening hours until after midnight, more than one hundred thousand mispallelim streamed to the Kosel HaMaaravi, with balconies and stairways of the Old City overflowing with participants. Over the course of Elul and the Aseres Yemei Teshuvah, nearly one and a half million mispallelim came to join the nightly Selichos gatherings, according to the Western Wall Heritage Foundation. The organization noted a marked rise this year in the number of Yidden moved to come together in heartfelt tefillah “at the unifying place, during the most unifying days.” Among those present were survivors of captivity and terror: Eliya Cohen, Ziv Avud—herself a survivor of the Nova massacre—along with Omer Shem Tov, Romi Gonen, and Yelena Troponov. As their presence was announced, the massive crowd erupted in prolonged applause and emotion, honoring their courage. Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz, Rav of the Kosel and mekomos kedoshim, offered a special tefillah in their presence, pleading for the safe return of the hostages still in captivity and for kevuras Yisrael for those who have fallen. The massive, majestic gathering was graced by the presence of the Rishon LeTzion HaRav Yitzchak Yosef, HaRav Dovid Yosef, Rav Kalman Meir Bar, Rav Shmuel Rabinowitz? and Rav Yaakov Shapira, Rosh Yeshivas Merkaz HaRav. Also present were Yerushalayim Mayor Moshe Lion, ministers, public officials, and rabbonim from across the spectrum of Klal Yisrael. Because of the overwhelming number of participants, the event was broadcast live on giant screens at the edge of the Kosel Plaza, on the walls near Shaar Yaffo, and at Kikar Tzahal, allowing even those unable to enter the Plaza to feel connected to the powerful tefillos. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

All donations today are matched 2X! In a few hours, we will stand before Hashem as everything for the year ahead is decided, stamped, and sealed. We are all looking to maximize our zchusim. Your donation to Kupas Zichron Moshe will enable over 700 families to celebrate Yom Tov with dignity and simcha. These families may not have much, yet they radiate a precious glow found only among those born and raised in Yerushalayim’s oldest neighborhoods. Their bank accounts are empty, yet their days are full, dedicated entirely to Torah and Avodas Hashem. By supporting Kupas Zichron Moshe, you are not only covering their Yom Tov needs — you are partnering in their extraordinary way of life — a zechus that will surely stand by your side. Wishing you and your family a Gmar Chasima Tova CLICK HERE TO JOIN

Tenafly, New Jersey, held a moving ceremony this week to dedicate a permanent memorial for Edan Alexander, the 21-year-old local who was taken captive by Hamas and spent 584 days in their tunnels before regaining his freedom earlier this year.

On Monday, officials unveiled the new street sign “Edan Alexander Way” outside Tenafly Borough Hall, marking the block in honor of the young soldier who had been recognized as the last known American hostage held alive in Gaza.

“It’s not just my name on a sign. It’s a reminder of how powerful a community can be that refuses to give up,” Alexander said during his remarks, only the second time he has spoken publicly since returning. “I never felt completely alone. I knew my family and my town and so many people were fighting for me, keeping my name alive, pushing for my return. That gave me strength.”

Tenafly’s Chabad representatives, who offered steady encouragement to the family throughout the harrowing ordeal, stood alongside Alexander at the event to share in the moment.

Rabbi Mordechai Shain, speaking to those gathered, pointed out that Edan has undertaken the daily commitment of wearing tefillin. “The idea is that you put it on every day to connect your heart and your mind to G-d. He did it with his whole heart,” the rabbi said.

Several dignitaries and officials joined the occasion, including Congressman Josh Gottheimer. “I hope they read about him and read about what happened to him, but also about his strength and his courage,” Gottheimer noted.

The street naming came just days after antisemitic incidents shook the area, including the burning of an Israeli flag outside a local shul. Mayor Mark Zinna explained that renaming the street was a show of resilience and pride. He also applauded Alexander’s calm demeanor when a heckler attempted to interrupt his address.

For Alexander’s loved ones, the dedication was an emotional milestone. His mother, Yael, told reporters: “It’s unbelievable. It’s very touching. It’s a great honor. He’s just taking a day at a time. He still needs his rest. He still needs his strength. I’m just happy that he’s home and spending time with family and friends.”

After the formalities concluded, Alexander chose a quiet moment for personal prayer, marking the dedication in his own spiritual way.

Alexander had been abducted during the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre after he moved to Israel to enlist in the IDF. He survived nearly two years in dark underground tunnels without daylight before finally being freed. His homecoming in June drew a massive crowd, as hundreds stood in the pouring rain to welcome him.

“A year and a half in captivity was the hardest thing I’ve ever gone through,” Alexander said in reflection. “Every time I see this road, I’ll remember not just the struggle, but the love and unity that brought me back home.”

{Matzav.com}

The Senate once again blocked a short-term funding measure on Tuesday, pushing the federal government toward a shutdown set to begin after midnight.

The legislation, already approved in the House, would have extended government funding at existing levels until Nov. 21. But the measure fell short of the Senate’s 60-vote threshold, missing by just five votes, even though three Democrats joined Republicans in favor.

“Cracks on the Democratic side are starting to show,” Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) said after Nevada’s Catherine Cortez-Masto, Pennsylvania’s John Fetterman, and Maine’s Angus King voted alongside 52 Republicans to keep the government running.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) stood out as the only Republican to oppose the stopgap funding plan.

“This is something that 13 times, when [Chuck Schumer] was the majority leader, we passed short-term continuing resolutions — 13 times — and the Republicans delivered the vote for it,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) remarked on CNBC’s “Squawk Box.” “This is a routine thing. This is not unusual.”

The last government shutdown dragged on for 35 days between late 2018 and early 2019, during Trump’s first term, as he clashed with Democrats over money for the southern border wall.

This time around, Democrats are refusing to back a temporary funding bill unless it includes extensions for major health care programs — particularly ObamaCare subsidies that expire in 2025 — and blocks billions in cuts to foreign aid.

Unlike typical shutdowns, this one could also bring permanent layoffs of federal workers instead of temporary furloughs.

Last week, Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought directed agencies to prepare for Reductions in Force, also known as RIFs.

“Once fiscal year 2026 appropriations are enacted, agencies should revise their RIFs as needed to retain the minimal number of employees necessary to carry out statutory functions,” Vought wrote, noting that the reductions would be triggered 60 days later.

Republicans quickly pointed fingers at Democratic leaders, accusing Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) of endangering both essential services and public welfare.

“Troops won’t be paid. TSA agents won’t be paid. The WIC program — the Women Infants and Children Nutrition program — and other food services will be delayed,” House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said on CNBC. “FEMA services won’t be provided. We have two hurricanes off the coast of the United States right now. I mean, we’re in the middle of hurricane season. This is serious stuff.”

Back in March, Schumer himself warned that a shutdown was “10 times worse” than a partisan budget fight.

“Sometimes when you’re a leader, you have to do things to avoid a real danger that might come down the curve,” he said then.

He also cautioned in September 2023 that a shutdown would hit New York hard, pointing out that the state has 70,000 federal employees, 30,000 U.S. military members, and 400,000 residents who rely on food stamps.

“A shutdown would degrade troop readiness and devastate our southern borders, something our friends on the other side who claim to care about border security conveniently ignore,” Schumer said during that standoff. “Small businesses would lose access to capital; home buyers would be unable to secure loans; our supply chains would be imperiled and costs to American families would go up and up.”

Republicans fired back Tuesday, accusing Democrats of hypocrisy.

“The disgraceful reality is that Democrats are forcing a shutdown by voting NO on government funding because Chuck Schumer got absolutely walloped earlier this year by the radical Far Left because he voted to fund the government,” Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York said in a statement.

“Until Democrats end their hypocritical and damaging shutdown hurting American families and workers, I have directed that my pay be withheld and have cosponsored legislation to ensure our servicemembers and law enforcement receive their pay,” she continued.

Trump seized the moment to needle Democratic leaders, posting an AI-made video on Truth Social that showed Jeffries in a sombrero while standing next to Schumer, who was speaking about “illegal aliens free health care.”

“Bigotry will get you nowhere. Cancel the Cuts. Lower the Cost. Save Healthcare. We are NOT backing down,” Jeffries responded on X.

Earlier this month, the House approved the funding bill with nearly all Republicans voting yes. Only two opposed it, while just one Democrat — Rep. Jared Golden of Maine — supported the measure. Every other Democrat voted against it, leaving the bill to fail once it reached the Senate.

During a shutdown, members of Congress continue to collect paychecks, but officials must decide which workers and services are considered “essential.” That typically includes defense and national security roles.

The 2019 shutdown was ultimately resolved after mounting fears about airline safety, as air traffic controllers struggled under strained conditions.

Even if the government shuts down, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid benefits will continue. The Postal Service will also maintain operations, but most national parks and Washington museums are expected to close.

{Matzav.com}

Israel is facing its deadliest measles outbreak in years, with six young children dead in the past two weeks and hundreds more hospitalized, senior health officials warned lawmakers on Tuesday. At a Knesset Health Committee hearing, Dr. Sharon Elroei-Price, head of public health services at the Health Ministry, reported that nearly 1,700 measles cases have been confirmed in the past six months. Since the outbreak began in May, 437 patients have been hospitalized, including 39 in intensive care. All of the fatalities were children under the age of two with no underlying health conditions. The surge is being driven by a sharp increase in unvaccinated children, particularly in Charedi population centers such as Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, Bnei Brak, Harish, Nof HaGalil, Modiin Illit, Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, and Tzfas. The number of unvaccinated children in these communities has doubled since Israel’s last major outbreak in 2018, Elroei-Price said. The Health Ministry has allocated NIS 5.5 million ($1.7 million) to combat the crisis, but local officials say resources are stretched thin. “There are long lines to get vaccinated and there is an acute shortage of nurses who are working nonstop,” said Gil Ribush, deputy director of the Jerusalem Municipality. Despite staffing shortages, vaccination rates are climbing. Yona Kaufman, health supervisor for Beit Shemesh, noted that 2.5 times more vaccines have been administered this year than during the same period in 2024, with the increases even sharper in outbreak hotspots: 3.3 times more in Jerusalem, five times more in Beit Shemesh, and three times more in Bnei Brak. Kaufman credited community-led initiatives for the turnaround, praising “the activities of the Charedi public who are recruiting thousands of new vaccine recipients in Jerusalem and Beit Shemesh.” The Health Ministry says it is deploying mobile vaccination units to meet the surging demand, but experts warn the crisis is far from over — and that the death toll could climb if gaps in immunization persist. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

YouTube, which is owned by Alphabet, agreed to pay $24.5 million to resolve a lawsuit brought by President Donald Trump over the suspension of his channel in the aftermath of the January 2021 Capitol incident, according to a court document filed Monday.

The agreement marks the final settlement among the three major tech platforms Trump sued in July 2021, claiming they improperly censored conservative voices.

In that lawsuit, Trump targeted Twitter—now called X—along with Facebook parent company Meta and Google’s YouTube, as well as the executives leading them.

Earlier this year, both Meta and X reached their own settlement agreements, paying to end the legal disputes.

As part of the YouTube deal, $22 million will be directed on Trump’s behalf to the Trust for the National Mall, which the court filing notes is supporting the construction of a $200 million ballroom that Trump is building at the White House.

The filing states that the massive 90,000-square-foot (8,361 square meters) venue is expected to be finished “long before” Trump’s current four-year term concludes in January 2029.

Other plaintiffs in the case, including the American Conservative Union—the group behind the Conservative Political Action Conference—and writer Naomi Wolf, will receive the balance of the settlement funds.

YouTube did not concede any liability and confirmed that no changes to its products or policies will result from the resolution.

While Trump’s YouTube account was not deleted in 2021, the company blocked him from posting new videos; full access was reinstated in 2023.

In January of this year, Meta agreed to a settlement worth around $25 million, while X finalized a $10 million settlement in February.

Meta’s settlement included $22 million earmarked for a fund dedicated to Trump’s future presidential library in Miami.

{Matzav.com}

The commander of the terrorist cell who was arrested in Ramallah earlier this month admitted in his interrogation that his ultimate goal was to try and launch missiles at Tel Aviv, in order to “stop the war,” Channel 12 News reported on Tuesday. He said that he began producing explosives and conducting experiments, and even raised money from his brother and a close friend to finance the activity. He added that the day before his arrest, he sent two members of the cell to launch rockets at Modi’in Illit, but the attempt failed due to a technical malfunction. According to the report, the five members of the cell were arrested at a weapons manufacturing facility in Ramallah, which contained dozens of rockets, explosives, and explosive materials. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

President Trump revealed Tuesday that his administration is preparing to roll out a new online portal that will let Americans order prescription drugs directly from pharmaceutical companies. The plan is pitched as a way to cut expenses for patients, though many details have yet to be finalized.

At 79 years old, Trump stood in the Oval Office beside Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla to announce the initiative, which will operate under the name “TrumpRx” and is expected to launch in early 2026.

Pfizer’s involvement stems from a broader agreement reached with the administration that ties into lowering the rates Medicare pays for medications.

Even so, significant aspects of the sweeping plan — which aims to bring U.S. drug prices in line with those charged abroad — remain uncertain.

One major unknown is whether other pharmaceutical companies will join the effort prior to the launch.

Another unresolved issue is whether the program will have much effect on the two-thirds of Americans who get coverage through private insurance.

“I think it’s one of the biggest things that we’ll do. We’ll be reducing drug prices by 100% in some cases, 300% or more,” Trump told reporters on the South Lawn before the formal White House announcement.

“Pfizer is committing to offer all of their prescription medications to Medicaid, and it will be at the most favored nation prices,” Trump added during the Oval Office event. “It’s going to have a huge impact on bringing Medicaid costs down, like nothing else.”

The “most favored nation” (MFN) system sets U.S. drug costs by comparing them to the prices in eight wealthy countries — Canada, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Denmark and Switzerland — and negotiating accordingly, with the goal of narrowing price disparities.

Trump explained that under the TrumpRx arrangement, Pfizer would make some of its leading medications available with discounts ranging from 50% to full coverage, while all new products would be priced in line with MFN standards.

Among the drugs listed for the program are Xeljanz for arthritis (40% off), Zavzpret for migraines (50% off), Eucrisa for dermatitis (80% off), and Duavee for osteoporosis (85% off).

For patients without coverage, the savings could be especially dramatic.

For example, Xeljanz is listed at more than $6,000 for a 30-day supply if purchased without insurance, according to Pfizer’s website. Through TrumpRx, that cost could be cut so sharply that an uninsured person might save more than $36,000 annually.

Still, the benefit will be limited for those who already pay minimal copays. Currently, 87% of Americans with commercial insurance, all Medicaid enrollees, and nearly 80% of Medicare Part D recipients spend between $0 and $20 for that same prescription.

Nevertheless, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. praised Trump’s move as groundbreaking. “Never has a president stood up so bravely for the American people with respect to health care,” Kennedy said.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, who oversees the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, lauded Pfizer’s chief. Bourla, he said, “looks very calm up here and cat-like, but he’s ferocious when you get him in a negotiating room.”

The administration also disclosed that Pfizer has committed to investing $70 billion to expand U.S. manufacturing capacity and research programs.

“It’s an historic day, because I think today we are turning the tide, and we are reversing an unfair situation,” Bourla said, noting that Trump had pushed for MFN drug pricing during his first term, before the pandemic and election loss derailed the effort.

Bourla admitted that concern over tariffs influenced Pfizer’s cooperation: “the president is absolutely right, tariffs is the most powerful tool to motivate behaviors.”

Chris Klomp, the head of Medicare, said the forthcoming platform will provide “direct access” to drugmakers and pricing “at lower prices than currently available.”

“This is bypassing middlemen. It increases transparency. In many instances, prices are 80% lower than they are today,” Klomp added.

Kennedy emphasized that Trump personally pushed the deal through, blasting foreign governments for exploiting U.S. consumers on prescription costs.

The secretary described how relentless Trump was: “The president harangued and harassed us to finish the deal,” Kennedy said. “At one point, [Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator] Dr. [Mehmet] Oz told me, ‘I can’t take the president’s calls anymore.’”

“President Trump is doing more to lower healthcare costs than anyone else in Washington, D.C.,” White House spokesman Kush Desai declared.

Desai contrasted Trump with Democrats: “While Democrats are threatening to shut down the federal government to subsidize health care for illegal aliens, President Trump is leveraging the power of the federal government to drastically cut drug prices for everyday Americans. Democrats talked the talk for decades about drug prices, but only President Trump is actually walking the walk.”

The announcement came just before Trump’s tariff deadline requiring drugmakers to move their production stateside.

“Starting October 1st, 2025, we will be imposing a 100% Tariff on any branded or patented Pharmaceutical Product, unless a Company IS BUILDING their Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Plant in America,” Trump posted on Truth Social last week.

Companies already in the process of constructing U.S. factories will be exempt.

The tariff is expected to hit smaller firms hardest, while larger players may be spared thanks to their existing U.S. plants. Johnson & Johnson, Eli Lilly, Merck, AstraZeneca and Novo Nordisk are among those already operating facilities in America.

{Matzav.com}

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Their bank accounts are empty, yet their days are full, dedicated entirely to Torah and Avodas Hashem.

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Elon Musk has escalated his ongoing dispute with the Anti-Defamation League, branding the Jewish civil rights group a “hate group” in a message he shared on X, the platform he purchased and rebranded from Twitter.

“The ADL hates Christians, therefore it is is [sic] a hate group,” Musk posted Sunday, replying to an anonymous account that had alleged the ADL views Christianity as extremist.

His remarks were quickly picked up and promoted by conservative voices. Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna accused the organization of “intentionally creating a targeted hate campaign against Christians.” Right-wing activist Laura Loomer took it a step further, urging that the ADL be “designated as a domestic terror org.”

The dispute centers on the ADL’s information page about “Christian Identity,” a fringe white supremacist belief system that depicts Jews as the offspring of Satan and has been tied to violent acts. The ADL clarified in a statement that the doctrine is “antisemitic, racist, and unambiguously poisonous” and in no way connected to mainstream Christian teachings. CEO Jonathan Greenblatt added on X that portraying the ADL as hostile to Christians is “offensive and wrong,” emphasizing that “many of our staff members are Christian. Many of our supporters are Christian.”

The timing of Musk’s comments is striking, since as recently as January, the ADL had come to his defense after he was seen making a gesture at Donald Trump’s inauguration that some interpreted as a Nazi salute. At the time, the ADL dismissed the move as “awkward,” though the defense sparked criticism from both Jewish groups and left-leaning commentators.

This most recent confrontation is only the latest in Musk’s battles with the ADL. In 2023, he endorsed a post claiming Jews were promoting “hatred against whites” and accused the organization of “unjustly” targeting Western culture. He has previously floated suing the ADL for driving advertisers away from X, and he has recently demanded that the group remove Turning Point USA—the organization founded by Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated earlier this month—from its extremist database.

Kirk’s murder occurred on the same day as a Colorado school shooting allegedly carried out by a suspect whose online activity had been flagged by an ADL extremism researcher.

Since Musk’s purchase of Twitter in late 2022, he has shifted the platform’s rules on moderation, including reinstating far-right figures such as Nick Fuentes, who has openly praised Adolf Hitler and spread antisemitic rhetoric. Civil rights organizations, including the ADL, argue that these moves have opened the floodgates to a new wave of hate speech online.

{Matzav.com}

The current New York City mayoral race has created what I believe to be unnecessary tension within the frum community. Much of this has stemmed from letters urging our community to back one candidate over another — Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa, or Andrew Cuomo. (Of course, Adams is no longer in the race.) These endorsements often focus on fine distinctions between preferred candidates, while leaving unspoken the one point on which we should all agree: we must not allow Zohran Mamdani to become mayor. Mamdani is a radical, openly pro-Hamas, anti-Israel politician who proudly calls himself a “socialist Democrat.” He has proposed government-run grocery stores, endless promises of “free” services, and even threatened to arrest Prime Minister Netanyahu — all without any explanation of how such extreme policies would be paid for. His agenda is dangerous not just for our community, but for the future of New York City. At present, Mamdani is leading in the polls, with Andrew Cuomo as his closest rival. Yet because Cuomo remains deeply unpopular among many frum voters, some have argued that our community should throw support behind other candidates, such as Sliwa. While I understand the frustration, this argument overlooks how the Ranked Choice Voting system works. Here’s how it works: voters list their preferences in order — first, second, third, and so on. If no candidate wins an outright majority (50%+1) in the first round, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated, and those votes transfer to the next choice on each ballot. This continues until one candidate crosses the 50% threshold. What this means for our community is simple: If you dislike Cuomo, you can rank someone else (like Curtis Sliwa) as your first choice. But if you dislike Mamdani even more — as every frum voter should — then Cuomo should still be ranked as a backup choice, even second or third, to prevent Mamdani from winning by default. Most importantly: never rank Mamdani at all. Ranked Choice Voting does not require you to rank every candidate. Leaving him off your ballot entirely is the clearest way to reject him. The bottom line: we cannot afford to split our community’s vote in a way that helps Mamdani slip through. Whatever our differences, we must recognize that he poses a grave threat to our city and our community, and our ballots must reflect that reality. Sincerely, D.G. The views expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review. 

Naftali Bennett, Israel’s former prime minister, offered words of appreciation to President Donald Trump for pushing to free the Israeli hostages but issued sharp criticism of the Israeli government for agreeing to terms he described as apologizing to Qatar and releasing large numbers of terrorists.

“I wish to thank President Donald Trump, who works with all his might to secure the release of our hostages. We will never forget that during the October 7th Massacre, over 1,200 Israelis were murdered, burned, and raped, and 251 were abducted from their beds. This was a terrible failure that demands a state commission of inquiry. An unerasable tragedy,” Bennett wrote on X.

He went on to emphasize the heavy toll of the ongoing fighting. “Over the past two years, many hundreds of our sons fell in Gaza; we lost the best of the best. Dozens of hostages were murdered in Hamas captivity, and now, the massacre and war are supposed to end after the Israeli government apologized (!) to the funders of the massacre in Qatar and frees many hundreds of Sinwar-like terrorist murderers. This is a difficult move, but a necessary one after the Israeli government didn’t manage to defeat Hamas and return our captive brothers, who are rotting away in captivity, and the price we are and will continue to pay will be too high to handle.”

Bennett concluded his remarks by urging that Israel must now focus on healing and rebuilding. “The difficult chapter that our country is in must close with the return of our sons and daughters, and the transition into a new and different chapter of the unification and rehabilitation of the State of Israel,” he wrote.

{Matzav.com Israel}

OpenAI is turning ChatGPT into a virtual merchant that can help sell goods for Etsy and Shopify as the artificial intelligence company looks for new revenue in online commerce. ChatGPT users can now buy directly from Etsy sellers while interacting with the chatbot and will soon be able to do the same with Shopify sellers. Competing with the likes of Amazon and Google for purchase fees from digital shopping could be a new source of money for OpenAI. The company hasn’t made a profit and has relied on investors to back the costs of building and running its powerful AI systems. OpenAI said it is working with payments company Stripe on the technical standards that will enable purchases through the “Instant Checkout” system. A number of payment companies have been working with AI developers on so-called AI agents that, given a credit card, could find and make purchases on a shopper’s behalf. OpenAI said ChatGPT won’t favor these items in its product results. “When ranking multiple merchants that sell the same product, ChatGPT considers factors like availability, price, quality, whether a merchant is the primary seller, and whether Instant Checkout is enabled, to optimize the user experience,” the company said in a statement. (AP)

A survey conducted by i24NEWS together with Direct Polls shows a noticeable upward shift in support for the governing coalition.

The poll gives Likud 33 seats, while Bennett 2026 secures 15 mandates. The Democratic Party, Yisrael Beiteinu, and Shas each take 10.

The list “Yashar! With Eisenkot” comes in at 8, the same total as United Torah Judaism. Otzma Yehudit earns 7, Religious Zionism 5, Hadash-Ta’al 5, Ra’am 5, and Yesh Atid only 4.

Yoaz Hendel’s Miluimnikim party, along with Balad and Blue and White, fail to clear the electoral threshold.

Breaking down the blocs, the poll shows Netanyahu’s coalition controlling 63 seats, the opposition holding 47, and the Arab parties together capturing 10.

{Matzav.com}

Ryanair said Tuesday it will not resume flights to Tel Aviv this winter, accusing Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport of stonewalling the airline’s bid for flight slots for the summer 2026 season. The Irish low-cost giant, which had operated 22 routes to and from Israel last winter, blasted airport authorities for what it called “absurd” delays in confirming its historic slots, even as schedules for summer 2026 are already on sale across Europe. “We are not willing to restart loss-making flights to/from Tel Aviv for the winter season, without the certainty that our summer 2026 historic slots have been confirmed,” a Ryanair spokesperson said in an emailed statement. “We are fed up having our low-fare flights repeatedly messed around by Ben Gurion Airport – it is absurd that they refused to confirm our summer 2026 slots.” The carrier warned that until Israeli authorities “honor their low-cost agreements with Ryanair,” Tel Aviv would lose access to its bargain fares and broad route network. The standoff marks the latest chapter in Ryanair’s rocky relationship with Israel, which predates the Gaza war. Earlier this month, CEO Michael O’Leary said the airline might not return even once regional violence subsides. Ryanair had already extended its suspension of Tel Aviv services through October 25, citing the ongoing conflict. The move leaves Israel’s flag carrier El Al and European rivals with one less competitor on routes that had brought tens of thousands of budget-conscious travelers through Ben Gurion Airport in recent years. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)

During an overnight mission in Gaza City, Israeli troops encountered a man holding a white flag and shouting for assistance.

The scene raised immediate alarm that the individual could be an Israeli captive, leading commanders to send in additional units to the area.

Channel 12 News reported that following a careful search, soldiers concluded the person was not a hostage but a Hamas operative trying to mislead the army.

Military officials believe the ploy was designed to draw soldiers into an ambush site where explosives or other weapons had been planted.

The IDF spokesperson explained, “During IDF forces’ operations in the Gaza Strip last night, a sign was identified that raised suspicion about the possible presence of hostages and missing persons in the area. Based on the suspicion, extensive searches were conducted using various methods. After no further findings were made, it was determined that it was not a kidnapping but most likely an enemy.”

{Matzav.com Israel}

Israeli authorities announced Tuesday the arrests of two men accused of spying for Iran. The Shin Bet and police’s Lahav 433 major crimes unit confirmed that a prosecutor’s declaration had been filed earlier in the day against the suspects, both 26-year-old residents of Holon. The primary suspect, Maor Kringel, was taken into custody in August after allegedly engaging in espionage activities for seven months. Investigators say Kringel maintained contact with an Iranian handler since early this year, photographing military bases and other sensitive sites across Israel. During June’s war with Iran, he allegedly reached out to his handlers offering to carry out additional operations. According to the investigation, Kringel also communicated with operatives linked to VIPemployment, a front organization Tehran has used to recruit Israelis online for intelligence work. Authorities say Kringel managed to enlist another Holon resident, Tal Amram, into spying on Iran’s behalf. Both men were arrested as part of the same investigation. Police emphasized that the case reflects Iran’s ongoing campaign to penetrate Israel’s security apparatus by exploiting ordinary citizens through online fronts and direct recruitment. State prosecutors are expected to file formal indictments against Kringel and Amram in the coming days. (YWN World Headquarters – NYC)