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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.

WATCH:

Noam Party chairman MK Avi Maoz presented three recent cases that demonstrate the IDF’s dismissive attitude toward soldiers who are makpid on halacha in a recent article published on Artuz Sheva. Maoz wrote, “At a time when the main focus of the conscription issue is on the Chareidi public—whom people want to draft and need […]

A man convicted of trying to assassinate President Donald Trump on a Florida golf course last year has decided to use an attorney during the sentencing phase instead of representing himself as he did for most of the trial. The sentencing hearing for Ryan Routh in Fort Pierce, Florida, was pushed back from this week […]

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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!

ALL DONATIONS ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE IN BOTH THE USA AND AUSTRALIA

All fund distribution will be overseen by the campaign committee and The Jewish House, NSW

Rabbi Aycee Abrahams

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Rabbi Sender Kavka

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Endorsed by Merkos – Chabad World Headquarters and Chabad NSW

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Israel’s Knesset on Monday advanced legislation aimed at accommodating Chareidim who use “kosher phones.” Lawmakers voted unanimously, 72–0, to approve the first reading of a bill that would require public bodies — including the National Insurance Institute and the Israel Tax Authority — to deliver official notifications via recorded voice messages to citizens whose phones […]

Chanukah’s glow reached the United States Capitol, where a candle-lighting gathering brought together Yesha Council Chairman and Binyamin Governor Yisrael Ganz with House Speaker Mike Johnson. In the midst of the ceremony, Johnson turned directly to the residents of Judea and Samaria with a resonant message, calling them “the Maccabees of our time.”

The lighting took place during a period marked by escalating anti-Jewish hostility across the globe, a reality highlighted by the horrific terror attack in Australia just hours later. Johnson—who only recently toured the Binyamin region, visited ancient Shiloh, and offered a heartfelt prayer there with his wife—spoke about the repeated attempts throughout history to harm Jews, and how the Jewish people, generation after generation, have persisted and prevailed despite overwhelming odds.

“Everyone is free to celebrate and pray in whatever way they choose,” Johnson said during the event. He pointed out that even during eras of persecution and threats of expulsion, Jewish communities continued to grow and thrive. “Even during years under attack and in danger of expulsion, the Jewish people prospered and flourished. This is the essence of what we are celebrating today – the light of love and heroism will always lead us to better days.”

After the candles were kindled, Ganz expressed gratitude for the Speaker’s encouragement, noting that their shared lighting inside Congress served as a symbolic reply to those trying to extinguish Jewish life—whether terror in Australia, rising antisemitism around the world, or violence in Eretz Yisroel itself. “The light we lit in Congress together with the US House Speaker is a clear answer to the darkness that seeks to extinguish us—whether through the terror attack in Australia, the waves of antisemitism globally, or the terrorism here in our land. The people of Israel are an eternal nation, and our enemies will never defeat us. Like the Maccabees, in our generation too, we will continue to shine, build, and grow stronger in the light of faith and heroism.”

{Matzav.com}

A senior University of Arkansas professor has been stripped of her leadership role after allegations surfaced that she used official university letterhead to support an Iranian regime war criminal, praised Iran’s supreme leader, and repeatedly attacked Israel. Shirin Saeidi, an assistant professor of political science and until recently the head of the university’s Middle East […]

The International Criminal Court’s Appeals Chamber in The Hague on Monday evening narrowly rejected Israel’s challenge seeking to halt the ICC’s involvement in alleged war-crimes investigations related to the Gaza conflict. As a result, the arrest warrants issued for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant will remain active.

The 3–2 decision dismissed Israel’s argument rooted in the principle of complementarity — the claim that Israel should first be allowed to investigate the allegations on its own before the ICC steps in. The ruling significantly reduces Israel’s options for overturning the international warrants.

Israel’s core appeal asserted that the ICC prosecutor was obligated to provide formal advance notification before opening an investigation into senior Israeli officials. The judges rejected this claim, stating that the prosecutor relied on what he considered a prior warning allegedly conveyed to Israel even before the October 7 attacks.

Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the ruling as fundamentally political, saying the court’s majority disregarded the rights of a democratic state with an independent judiciary. The ministry stated: “Israel rejects the narrow-majority ruling that denies Israel its right to receive advance notice, as required under the principle of complementarity, especially with regard to a democratic nation with a strong and independent legal system. This is what politics looks like when disguised as ‘international law.’”

Because the appeal was dismissed, the ICC arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant on suspicion of war crimes committed during the Gaza war remain in effect, posing ongoing diplomatic and legal challenges for Israel and its leadership.

According to a report cited by Channel 12 News, a source familiar with the decision blasted the court’s conduct, saying: “They keep proving, again and again, that they have no respect whatsoever for the sovereignty of states — including those that are not members and never agreed to the court’s framework. In the end, this will leave the international community no choice but to overhaul this institution from the ground up.”

{Matzav.com}

Australia’s political class is making moves — not to confront Islamist radicalization, intelligence failures, or the ideological drivers of antisemitic violence, but to reopen a gun debate many Australians believed had been settled nearly three decades ago. Within hours of the Chanukah massacre at Sydney’s Bondi Beach, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state leaders promised […]

Leading Jewish groups in the United States are urging all Jewish organizations to ratchet up security measures at public events — including restrictions on access — following the deadly mass shooting that targeted a Chanukah celebration on a popular Australian beach. The groups — including three which specialize in security issues — said Jewish public events in […]

Heilig & Muzikalish   Heilig & Muzikalish is bringing soul-awakening melodies to serve as a conduit for elevation, connection, and heartfelt prayer, we gather world-renowned חזנים and a symphony of voices to co-create this magical experience of ascending to the heights of Tefila — עבודה שבלב —and open our hearts and souls to הקב״ה – […]

Elon Musk has become the first person in history ever worth $600 billion. His fortune hit the milestone on the strength of his holdings in Tesla and SpaceX and related valuations.  

Ukraine peace talks progressing, Russia open to EU membership, U.S. officials say • U.S. officials said they are nearing an agreement with Ukraine to end the war with Russia. • Any deal would need final approval from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has taken a hard line and demanded territory in return for peace. • […]

TRUMP: “Today, we’re here to honor our military men and women for their central role in the protection of our border… In a few moments, we’ll officially recognize their service by awarding them the Mexican Border Defense Medal.”

A high-level gathering is set to take place in Qatar on Tuesday, where United States Central Command will convene military envoys from dozens of nations to advance the next phase of President Donald Trump’s regional peace framework. The goal of the session is to assemble a roster of countries willing to form the International Stabilization Force, intended to operate inside Gaza once the second stage of the plan is underway.

Kan News revealed that approximately forty delegations are expected, with many coming from states that have already signaled readiness to contribute personnel, while others are arriving to evaluate their options. Among those slated to attend are nations from across Asia and the Middle East — Indonesia, Pakistan, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Turkey, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates — together with representatives from several countries in Europe.

Participants will spend part of the conference debating how broad the ISF’s mandate should be. Discussions will focus on whether the multinational contingent will move into zones still under Hamas control for the purpose of disarming the group, or whether their deployment will be limited only to sectors currently overseen by Israel.

Kan News also noted that the structure of the force is subject to an Israeli veto. Yet even with Israel objecting to the involvement of Turkey and Qatar, Jerusalem is not sending officials to the summit itself. Instead, the Americans intend to have Major General Yaki Dolf join the session remotely as the designated Israeli representative to U.S. command, where he will outline Israel’s stance.

{Matzav.com}

Golani Brigade forces operating along the Yellow Line in eastern Rafah located weapons and surveillance equipment, including AK-47s, RPGs, and cameras used by Hamas. The IDF says forces dismantled Hamas infrastructure and eliminated dozens of terrorists operating in underground tunnels. Troops remain deployed in line with the ceasefire agreement to remove immediate threats.

BREAKING: One of the U.S. service members killed in Syria has been identified as Sgt. Nate Howard, the son of an Iowa police chief. The second service member killed is Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres Tovar. Both served in the Iowa National Guard.

Former Hamas hostage Eli Sharabi met with former President Joe Biden yesterday at the Philadelphia Eagles game.  

EU’s Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, says a commission to address “claims for war damages against Russia” will be set up in The Hague tomorrow, with 80,000 submissions already received.