The Belzer Rebbe addressed the challenges facing Torah learners during his Seudah Shlishis on Shabbos Chanukah, speaking before tens of thousands of chassidim who spent Shabbos in his presence.
In his divrei Torah, the Rebbe reflected on the current period as one of hester — spiritual concealment — and spoke about the decrees directed against those devoted to Torah study. Drawing on the parsha, he explained that Yosef HaTzaddik, during his exile in Mitzrayim, laid the spiritual groundwork that enabled later generations to endure exile. That preparation, the Rebbe said, empowered Klal Yisroel to survive not only the Egyptian exile but future exiles as well.
“Even in our times, everything is in concealment,” the Rebbe said. “There is an inner exile and an outer exile, similar to what existed in Mitzrayim. Then, Klal Yisroel was redeemed through Aharon HaKohen and Moshe Rabbeinu. Today as well, the power of Torah is what sustains us, and in the end, Hashem will help, and it will become clear that it is only the Torah learned by Bnei Yisroel in exile that keeps them standing.”
The Rebbe further connected these themes to the miracle of Chanukah, noting that even when Klal Yisroel was in a lowly and weakened state — akin to exile, despite the Beis Hamikdash still standing — it was the Kohanim who elevated the nation and drew them closer to Hashem.
“So too in our exile,” he said, “the hand of Hashem stands by Bnei Yisroel, and He illuminates the darkness, just as at the time of the miracle, through the study of Torah Shebichsav and Torah Shebaal Peh.”
{Matzav.com}
An extraordinary medical and spiritual story from Yerushalayim has resurfaced, as a prominent physician from Har Nof—once declared beyond hope—continues his recovery after what many are describing as nothing short of techias hameisim.
Yerushalayim’s Har Nof neighborhood is accustomed to the steady stream of visitors arriving at the home of the renowned posek, Rav Moshe Sternbuch, where daily audiences draw individuals seeking guidance and brachah. In recent days, however, the atmosphere there was markedly different, as songs of praise and thanksgiving filled the residence during a rare and emotional gathering marking a dramatic medical recovery that has stirred the city.
The gathering marked the visit of a well-known Har Nof physician who, nearly two years ago, was considered clinically “dead” by medical standards. During the COVID period, the doctor suffered a severe stroke after being infected with the virus, leaving him unconscious and in a vegetative state. Physicians told the family with certainty that there were “zero chances” of recovery, with one doctor reportedly stating that it would have been better had he passed away, as there was no hope he would ever awaken.
The full account was related by Reb Daniel Travis, a rosh kollel and close talmid of Rav Sternbuch, who served as the family’s emissary. Rav Travis explained that members of his kollel undertook daily tefillos on the patient’s behalf, maintaining the effort without interruption for a year and a half.
Eventually, family members raised a halachic concern, arguing that the patient was effectively considered dead and that continued tefillah might constitute praying for a miracle, which is generally not permitted. Rav Travis brought the question directly to Rav Sternbuch, seeking a clear halachic ruling.
After listening carefully and inquiring in detail about the medical circumstances for several minutes, Rav Sternbuch reflected deeply before delivering a decisive response. He ruled that continued tefillah was entirely permitted and encouraged, explaining that contemporary medical advancements leave room for recovery through natural means. He instructed Rav Travis to continue the tefillos and assured him that they would yet see a great yeshuah.
Rav Travis conveyed the ruling to the family, reinforcing Rav Sternbuch’s words that hope had not been lost. Remarkably, the very next day, the patient suddenly regained consciousness. He began communicating, speaking, and gradually recovering, in a development that doctors reportedly could not explain and for which there was no known medical precedent.
Rav Travis recounts receiving an emotional phone call from the patient himself, who wished to express gratitude for the brachah delivered through Rav Sternbuch. Hearing the voice of someone who had been considered dead left Rav Travis stunned, though he said he was not surprised after the clear ruling and assurance he had received from his rebbi.
In the weeks that followed, the recovering doctor was even seen at times learning in Rabbi Sternbuch’s beis medrash. When he first entered, those present reportedly looked on in disbelief as the man they believed had passed away stood on his own two feet.
Although the core events occurred nearly two years ago, the story is only now being widely publicized, as the doctor—now significantly stronger—recently returned to Rav Sternbuch’s home to formally express his gratitude. Overcome with emotion, he asked Rav Travis to recount the full story publicly.
To conclude, Rav Travis shared an additional insight that sheds light on Rav Sternbuch’s approach. He recalled witnessing a case years earlier in which Rav Sternbuch initially declined to issue a halachic ruling granting a young man success in finding a shidduch, only to do so months later. Within three weeks of that ruling, the young man became engaged.
When Rav Travis later asked whether a halachic ruling can truly determine future outcomes, Rav Sternbuch replied that he had received this tradition from Rav Isser Zalman Meltzer: when a genuine posek issues a ruling in this world, it is accepted in the Heavenly court as well and can draw down yeshuos.
{Matzav.com}
Politico first reported that the Trump administration has begun pulling back a significant number of U.S. ambassadors, a move that has prompted unease among some members of Congress and the labor union representing American diplomats.
The largest concentration of changes is in Africa, where ambassadors from 13 nations are being recalled: Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Madagascar, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Somalia, and Uganda.
Asia follows, with six countries affected by ambassadorial turnover: Fiji, Laos, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Additional recalls span multiple regions. Four European countries—Armenia, Macedonia, Montenegro, and Slovakia—are included. Two countries each are affected in the Middle East (Algeria and Egypt), South and Central Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka), and the Western Hemisphere (Guatemala and Suriname).
According to two State Department officials who requested anonymity to discuss internal personnel matters, chiefs of mission in at least 29 countries were notified last week that their assignments would conclude in January.
Those officials said all of the ambassadors in question began their overseas postings during the Biden administration. While they initially remained in place after President Donald Trump returned to office and an early round of removals focused largely on political appointees, that status changed this week. On Wednesday, they began receiving formal notifications from Washington that their tours were being cut short.
The administration has emphasized that the affected diplomats are not being dismissed from the Foreign Service. Ambassadors serve at the pleasure of the president and generally hold their posts for three to four years. Those being recalled may return to Washington and take on other roles if they choose, the officials said.
The State Department declined to provide precise figures or name the ambassadors involved, but defended the action as routine, describing it as “a standard process in any administration.” The department added that an ambassador is “a personal representative of the president and it is the president’s right to ensure that he has individuals in these countries who advance the America First agenda.”
The recalls come as the Trump administration continues reshaping U.S. diplomacy abroad, seeking to ensure that senior embassy leadership aligns fully with President Donald Trump’s America First priorities.
{Matzav.com}
Vice President JD Vance told a packed audience at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on Sunday that the most meaningful way to honor the late Charlie Kirk is to avoid the kind of exclusionary behavior Kirk himself rejected throughout his life.
Vance framed his remarks around the broad appeal of President Donald Trump’s political message, emphasizing that the slogan “Make America Great Again” is rooted in inclusion rather than gatekeeping. He said the strength of the movement lies in the idea that every American is welcome, regardless of background or circumstance.
VP VANCE: "President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeated purity tests… I didn't bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to de-platform… The best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here… pic.twitter.com/jyMQotlW1O
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) December 21, 2025
“President Trump did not build the greatest coalition in politics by running his supporters through endless, self-defeated purity tests,” Vance said. “He says ‘Make America Great Again’ because every American is invited. We don’t care if you’re white or black, rich or poor, young or old, rural or urban, controversial or a little bit boring, or somewhere in between. People of every faith come to our banner because they know that the America First movement will make their lives better and they also know that the Democrats don’t care about anything other than maybe transing their kids.”
According to Vance, that open-door approach is precisely why the America First coalition has grown into a political force. He argued that Americans who love their country and want it to be “richer, stronger, safer, and prouder” naturally belong within the movement.
Vance also addressed criticism he expects to receive, saying he deliberately avoided attacking or excluding fellow conservatives. He stressed that Kirk’s legacy was built on bringing people together, not pushing them out.
“I didn’t bring a list of conservatives to denounce or to deplatform, and I don’t really care if some people out there — I’m sure we’ll have the fake news media denounce me after this speech, but let me just say, “the best way to honor Charlie is that none of us here should be doing something after Charlie’s death that he himself refused to do in life,” Vance said. “He invited all of us here.”
He concluded by reiterating that the America First movement remains a home for anyone committed to the country’s strength and future, echoing what he described as the core principle Charlie Kirk championed from the beginning.
{Matzav.com}
WATCH:
Mr. Barry Ray z”l, a devoted askan and pillar of the Chicago Torah community for more than four decades, was niftar, leaving behind a legacy of quiet dedication, steadfast leadership, and tireless service to Klal Yisroel.
For over 45 years, Mr. Ray stood at the forefront of communal responsibility in Chicago, where he was widely known as a trusted supporter, advisor, and builder of Torah institutions. With vision and unwavering commitment, he was instrumental in the founding, strengthening, and ongoing support of numerous mosdos, not only in Chicago but also in Baltimore, Florida, and Eretz Yisroel. His involvement was marked by humility and discretion; he worked behind the scenes, motivated solely by a sense of achrayus and love for Torah and its learners.
Mr. Ray understood that strong communities are built through consistency, reliability, and personal responsibility. He was always available when a cause needed backing, when an institution required guidance, or when a communal initiative demanded resolve and follow-through. His impact was felt far beyond the public eye, in the stability and growth of countless Torah endeavors.
He is survived by a distinguished family who continue his legacy of communal service. He was the devoted father of R’ Tzvi Ray, an active board member of Agudah of Illinois and the Midwest Bais Horaah; R’ Shua Ray, a steadfast supporter of Chicago mosdos and deeply involved in a wide range of communal activities; Mrs. Ahuva Feiler, wife of R’ Yanky Feiler, who worked for Agudath Israel of Illinois and continues to be active in political advocacy on behalf of the Jewish community; and Mrs. Shoshana Krupp, wife of R’ Ari Krupp, a prominent and active leader in the Baltimore Jewish community.
The levaya and kevura took place today in Chicago.
The family is sitting shiva at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Shua Ray, located at 3118 W. Wallen Avenue. Tefillah times: Shacharis: 7:30 a.m. Mincha/Ma’ariv: 4:10 p.m.
Yehi zichro boruch.
{Matzav.com}
Thousands of people took to the streets on Sunday night in the Satmar neighborhood of Bnei Brak for a large procession marking the release of yeshiva students who had been detained.
The event drew vast crowds and unfolded as a celebratory march through local streets, accompanied by energetic dancing and singing.
At the same time, a parallel procession was held in Modi’in Illit, honoring the release of Binyamin Kreif, a talmid of Yeshivas Darchei Chaim. Kreif was freed from military prison after serving close to three months, including more than 50 days in solitary confinement.
In both cities, the atmosphere was jubilant. Participants danced in the streets as the bnei yeshiva being honored were lifted onto shoulders and escorted through the crowds.
PHOTOS:
{Matzav.com}
CBS’ 60 Minutes has pulled a planned report examining the deportation of migrants to El Salvador’s notorious maximum-security prison, CECOT, opting to delay the segment just hours before it was scheduled to air.
Late Sunday, the program issued an editor’s note on X announcing the change.
“The broadcast lineup for tonight’s edition of 60 Minutes has been updated. Our report ‘Inside CECOT’ will air in a future broadcast,” the note read.
In place of the delayed report, the broadcast aired a different segment, “The Kanneh-Masons,” which centers on seven siblings from Britain who “have become sensations in the classical music world.”
A spokesperson for CBS told Fox News Digital that the network “determined it needed additional reporting,” but did not elaborate further on the decision.
Before the postponement, the network had promoted the piece as an in-depth look inside El Salvador’s most severe detention facility. According to the original press materials, correspondent Sharyn Alfonsi was set to speak with deportees who had since been released and who “describe the brutal and torturous conditions.”
“Earlier this year, the Trump administration deported hundreds of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador, a country most had no ties to, claiming they were terrorists. This move sparked an ongoing legal battle, and nine months later the U.S. government still has not released the names of all those deported and placed in CECOT, one of El Salvador’s harshest prisons,” the press release for the segment read.
Around the same time the delay was announced, the show also made its promotional video for the segment private on YouTube. The preview had included Alfonsi questioning a former inmate about his experience during detention, referencing his account of “four months of hell.”
“Did you think you were going to die there?” Alfonsi asked.
“We thought we were already the living dead honestly,” one prisoner responded.
The deportations themselves have remained a flashpoint for controversy. Earlier this year, Donald Trump’s administration sent hundreds of Venezuelan migrants—many alleged to be gang members—to CECOT. In March, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg issued an emergency order blocking certain removals to El Salvador. Despite that ruling, hundreds of migrants stayed in the prison for months afterward.
Boasberg has since directed the Department of Justice to disclose the whereabouts and current status of the migrants who were transferred to the El Salvador facility.
{Matzav.com}
