Feed aggregator

A fiery rebuke against the growing trend of elaborate chupahs echoed this week from the Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, who launched what he called a battle to restore the traditional kedushah of the chuppah.

Speaking before 1,500 bochurim at the opening of the new zeman in Kiryas Yoel, the Rebbe decried the transformation of weddings into performances, saying that the chuppah has turned from a holy event into a show.

“What has happened to the chuppahs in America?” the Rebbe asked emotionally. “This is something terrible that has taken root in America. The chuppahs have become a kind of show and celebration. A chuppah is something important and sacred, yet people bring in orchestras and singers and pay huge amounts of money for it.”

The Rebbe noted that at weddings in previous generations—such as those held by the Divrei Chaim of Sanz—there was a sense of awe and trembling. “People stood under the chuppah with fear and reverence,” he said. “The chassidim didn’t dare lift their eyes. They didn’t talk or laugh. Today, I see someone sitting under the chuppah smoking a cigarette! How can one smoke at a chuppah? One must stand there with awe and trembling. I am shaken by what I see!”

The Rebbe emphasized that the American influence has changed the tone of chasunos, leading to excess and spectacle. “There is terrible hefkeirus,” he lamented. “As the sheitel grows longer, so does the orchestra. The larger the wig, the bigger the celebration. They think they need to sing more and more songs for the chosson and kallah. The length of the chuppah festivities matches the length of the sheitel.”

He reminded his listeners that a chuppah should resemble Yom Kippur for the chosson and kallah, who fast that day and approach it with solemnity and humility. “This is not a time for parties or celebrations,” he said. “These American customs have crept into our community, and they do not belong here. We must return to the way chuppahs were once held—with simplicity, holiness, and yiras Shamayim.”

In a gesture just days earlier, the Rebbe was seen at a wedding in the United States approaching well-known singers Chaim Horowitz and Meilech Braunstein, instructing them to adhere strictly to tradition and sing only the time-honored “Mi Von Si’ach” at chuppahs.

Concluding his remarks, the Rebbe delivered a heartfelt appeal: “I am calling from here to all musicians and singers—stop these chuppah celebrations. There is no need for singing and dancing under the chuppah. I want chuppahs the way they used to be—Jewish and holy chuppahs, not the kind that follow the customs of America.”

{Matzav.com}

This afternoon in front of the Brooklyn offices of Senator Sutton, blocks from the sites of overnight antisemitic vandalism at Magen David Yeshiva, Governor Kathy Hochul joined a press conference and announced that the executive budget will include $90 million for Non Public Safety Equipment Program. The funding announcement is a major achievement for securing […]

Dear Friends, It’s the day after. The day after an election that brought forth passion, emotion, heart…and worry. It also spawned tefillah, achdus, and achrayus. And as Yidden, we know exactly how to behave on a day after. Three words, in this week’s parshah, tell us: V’Avraham shav limkomo, And Avraham went back to his […]

Segev Kalfon, who, B’Chasdei Hashem, was released from captivity in Gaza on Hoshanah Rabbah, recently spoke about his harrowing story of survival in the hell of Gaza in a lengthy interview published in Yediot Achronot. Kalfon, who was abducted from the Nova music festival, recounted that at first, he ran for several minutes through fields […]

In a twist of irony, a German-based anti-Israel organization has filed a criminal complaint against former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert — the same man who recently accused Israel of committing “war crimes.” The Hind Rajab Foundation, an organization known for its anti-Israel activism, lodged the complaint in Germany on Wednesday, alleging Olmert’s responsibility for war crimes during Operation Cast Lead in Gaza in 2008–2009.

According to the group, Olmert is expected to participate in an event in Berlin on Thursday. The complaint was submitted to both the Berlin Attorney General’s Office and the Federal Public Prosecutor, who has the authority to handle international offenses. The organization is demanding that an arrest warrant be issued ahead of Olmert’s arrival in Germany.

The Hind Rajab Foundation claimed that under international law, both political and military leaders can be held personally liable for war crimes committed by forces under their command if they knew—or should have known—about such acts and failed to prevent or punish them. The organization argued that Olmert bears direct responsibility due to his alleged role in authorizing and planning military operations.

In its filing, the group accused Israel, under Olmert’s leadership, of “indiscriminate attacks against civilians,” the use of white phosphorus in densely populated areas, and the destruction of homes, mosques, medical facilities, and UN-run schools that served as shelters for displaced Gazans. The complaint further alleges that Israeli forces “shot civilians attempting to flee or waving white flags,” blocked access to humanitarian aid, and deliberately targeted key infrastructure, including water systems, power plants, and food storage sites.

The move comes just months after Olmert himself accused Israel’s current government of committing war crimes in Gaza. In a May interview with CNN, he denounced Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the IDF, asking rhetorically, “What is it if not war crimes?” He went on to assert that Netanyahu and his ministers “are carrying out actions that cannot be interpreted otherwise.”

A week earlier, in an interview with the BBC, Olmert claimed that “what Israel is doing in Gaza is approaching a war crime,” lamenting that “thousands of innocent Palestinians are being killed alongside many Israeli soldiers. It’s outrageous and infuriating.” He added that “no uninvolved civilian in Gaza should be harmed as a result of expanding a military operation that is unjustified and does not serve Israel’s interests at this stage.”

Olmert also told CNN that he hoped President Donald Trump would be the one to bring the fighting to an end. “I really think he’s the only one who might be able to force the prime minister to come to terms with reality—and with the moral aspect of this government’s actions,” he said.

{Matzav.com}

In a ruling issued on Tuesday by the Supreme Court, Justice Dafna Barak-Erez voted against the demolition of the home of the terrorist who tried to commit a mass-casualty bus bombing attack in central Israel last February. The terrorist had assembled five powerful explosive devices in his home, packed with nails and screws to cause […]

Maine Democratic Rep. Jared Golden, who represents one of the most competitive U.S. House districts in the country, said Wednesday he will not seek reelection. Golden was first elected to Congress in 2018 and has carved out a space as a Democrat who is willing to work with President Donald Trump’s administration. He announced his […]

A scene of heartfelt jubilation unfolded Wednesday evening at the Ateres Shlomo yeshiva campus in Rishon Lezion, as hundreds of talmdiim gathered to welcome back Ariel Shamai, who had just completed a 15-day sentence in a military prison for not enrolling in the IDF.

Immediately following the levayah of Rebbetzin Leah Faiga Sorotzkin a”h, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Shalom Ber Sorotzkin instructed that a festive reception be held for the yeshiva bochur, who had become known as an “Asir Olam HaTorah — a prisoner of the Torah world.”

As Shamai arrived at the yeshiva, the atmosphere was electric. Hundreds of bochurim stood singing and dancing as he entered the gates, where a horse-drawn carriage awaited him. Amid the stirring tunes of “U’v’Lishkoseihem Ein Anu Misytatzvim” and “Tzion Halo Tish’ali,” the joyous crowd surrounded him, celebrating his return to freedom and to Torah learning.

During the reception, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Chaim Mordechai Ausband recited Shehechiyanu — using an avocado — marking the moment with genuine joy and gratitude.

Shamai’s rebbe, Rosh Yeshiva Rav Chaim Feinstein, who had stood outside the prison gates leading the protest during his talmid’s incarceration, met his talmid in the yeshiva’s dining hall and, with visible emotion, recited the brocha of “Baruch Matir Asurim.”

As the crowd erupted in singing, accompanied by musician Bentzi Stein, the heartfelt refrain “Ashrecha shenitfast al divrei Torah — Fortunate are you for being imprisoned for the sake of Torah” — filled the hall.

{Matzav.com}

The BBC is facing one of the gravest crises in its modern history after an explosive internal memo accused its Arabic news division of systematically downplaying Israeli suffering, amplifying Hamas propaganda, and repeatedly giving airtime to contributors who have publicly called for Jews to be “burned as Hitler did.” The 19-page memo, written by former […]

A police representative said in court on Wednesday that top officials in the military prosecution are maintaining a “bond of silence” about the leak of the Sde Teiman video. Speaking at the hearing on Wednesday regarding the extension of the arrest of disgraced Military Advocate General (MAG) Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, the representative told the judge. “There […]

Air travel across the United States is bracing for major disruption beginning Friday morning, as the federal government prepares to cut flights by 10% in 40 of the nation’s largest cities. The move comes amid the continuing government shutdown, which has paralyzed key federal operations and left millions of travelers facing delays and cancellations.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford announced the sweeping reductions on Wednesday, explaining that air traffic staffing will be reduced until the shutdown is resolved. The decision, they said, will impact not only commercial airline routes but also private aviation and even space launches.

Despite the scale of the cutbacks, Bedford insisted that the nation’s aviation network remains secure. “The system is extremely safe today. Will be extremely safe tomorrow,” he stated, emphasizing that flight safety standards will not be compromised even as operations are scaled back.

{Matzav.com}

Trump on Zohran Mamdani: “For a thousand years, Communism has not worked… I tend to doubt it’s going to work this time.” BRET: Did you see his speech? TRUMP: “Yeah, I thought it was a very angry speech… he’s off to a bad start.

California Republicans filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday to block a new U.S. House map that California voters decisively approved at the ballot. Proposition 50, backed by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, is designed to help Democrats flip as many as five congressional House seats in the midterm elections next year. The lawsuit claims the map-makers improperly […]

Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli sounded an alarm after Zohran Mamdani’s election as mayor of New York City, describing the development as a “critical turning point” that could have grave consequences for the city’s Jewish population.

Writing in a fiery Fox News opinion piece, Chikli lamented what he viewed as a dangerous shift in the city’s character. “The city that once stood as the world’s beacon of liberty has handed the keys of power to a Hamas sympathizer,” he wrote. “It is almost unthinkable that New York – the proud and historic center of Jewish life – could become the American city where Jews no longer feel at home or safe.”

Chikli argued that Mamdani’s victory symbolizes a deeper ideological transformation, claiming that the new mayor “represents the ‘Red-Green Alliance’ – the dangerous strategic partnership between radical Islamism and the far-left progressive movement.” He warned that such a fusion of extremism could shape the city’s policies in troubling ways.

“This is, without a doubt, the biggest Muslim Brotherhood victory in the United States – and possibly the entire Western world,” Chikli wrote, cautioning that “New York is now one step closer to becoming the next London.”

He went on to praise the Trump administration for its handling of antisemitism, crediting it with action rather than rhetoric. According to Chikli, it was the Trump years that made “Jewish students safe again throughout America,” in contrast to earlier administrations that, he said, aligned themselves with organizations such as CAIR.

At the same time, Chikli expressed concern over extremist currents surfacing on the right. “Neo-Nazism is being normalized, amplified and excused,” he wrote, insisting that “You cannot call yourself a conservative while admiring Hitler, Stalin or the theocratic dictator who rules Iran.”

Describing this as a “moment of moral choosing,” Chikli called on conservatives to confront hate within their own ranks and reaffirm moral clarity. He ended his piece with a plea to safeguard the shared values uniting Israel and the United States, writing, “The foundations of the American-Jewish and Judeo-Christian alliance remain strong, built upon a principle expressed by the Founders themselves: ‘Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God.’”

{Matzav.com}

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced Tuesday a sweeping new initiative to monitor the policies, appointments, and rhetoric of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s incoming administration, citing deep concern over what it called a “period of unprecedented antisemitism” in New York City. The initiative — which includes a dedicated antisemitism tipline, expanded research capacity, and a public “Mamdani […]

President Donald Trump expressed optimism that Saudi Arabia may soon join the Abraham Accords, though he acknowledged the political sensitivity of the matter, given Riyadh’s long-standing position linking normalization with Israel to progress toward a Palestinian state.

Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump told attendees, “We have a lot of people joining now the Abraham Accords. Hopefully, we’ll get Saudi Arabia very soon, but I’m not saying that. I’m not lobbying,” he added with a grin, acknowledging the presence of Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to Washington in the crowd.

Trump reiterated on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that Riyadh’s insistence on a Palestinian state may be more rhetoric than reality. “The last time he did that, in February, Riyadh issued a statement at 4 a.m. rebutting the president’s claim. This week, they did not,” the report noted, signaling a potentially softer tone from the kingdom.

During his Miami remarks, Trump hailed his son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner as the “father of the Abraham Accords,” crediting him for the series of normalization deals that reshaped Middle East diplomacy. He argued that the region became more receptive to peace following the U.S. strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities earlier this year.

“The key was when we took out the nuclear capability of Iran. All of a sudden, everybody said, ‘Wow, that was nice.’ They’ve been wanting to do that for 20 years,” Trump said. While no Arab states publicly applauded the move, diplomats from the Gulf privately expressed concerns that it might heighten tensions and fuel instability.

Turning to the ceasefire he negotiated in Gaza last month, Trump assured that it remains intact. “There’s nothing tenuous [about it]. It’s a serious end,” he said, joking that he hopes it lasts — “otherwise the number of wars he says he has ended would drop from eight to seven.”

{Matzav.com}

A top executive at a startup company that eased the process for college students applying for financial aid was sentenced Wednesday to over five years in prison for cheating JPMorgan Chase in a $175 million acquisition of the company four years ago. The Manhattan federal court sentencing of Olivier Amar came a month after Charlie […]

New York Governor Kathy Hochul confirmed that one of the Jewish institutions targeted in Tuesday night’s wave of vandalism was a yeshiva. “I strongly condemn this hateful display of antisemitism,” Hochul wrote on X, denouncing the attack and calling for accountability.

Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani took to social media soon after, calling the incident both “disgusting” and “heartbreaking.” He assured that, “As mayor, I will always stand steadfast with our Jewish neighbors to root the scourge of antisemitism out of our city.”

Outgoing Mayor Eric Adams likewise issued a statement condemning the act, emphasizing that “Antisemitism has no place in our schools, our government, or our city, but it’s sadly what happens when too many normalize antisemitic rhetoric.” His remarks underscored the growing concern over hate speech and its real-world consequences.

The United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York voiced deep concern following the defacement, noting that “This act is a painful reminder of the rising tide of antisemitism that continues to threaten Jewish communities across New York.” The organization confirmed it was in close contact with law enforcement to assist in the investigation.

According to data released Monday by the New York City Police Department, Jews were the targets in 62 percent of all hate crimes reported last month. Out of 47 total incidents, 29 were classified as antisemitic—an alarming reflection of the city’s escalating hate-crime trend.

The controversy surrounding Mamdani’s victory has only intensified these fears. The mayor-elect has a history of inflammatory statements regarding Israel, including harsh criticism just one day after the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, and a refusal to denounce the slogan “globalize the intifada.” He has also publicly accused Israel of committing war crimes and vowed to arrest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he visits New York City.

In response to Mamdani’s record, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) announced a sweeping effort to closely monitor his administration. The ADL said it remains deeply concerned about “past associations and rhetoric” that it believes “promote antisemitic narratives and reflect hostility toward the State of Israel.”

Mamdani, however, pushed back against the criticism, insisting that he takes the issue seriously. He said, “I spoke about how my City Hall will stand steadfast with Jewish New Yorkers in fighting antisemitism across the city and making that clear in the actions that we deliver on January 1st.”

He added, “I look forward to working with Jewish leaders across this city, whether they’re elected officials, rabbis, or community leaders, to deliver on the promise of not just protecting Jewish New Yorkers, but celebrating and cherishing them in the same city.”

{Matzav.com}

Rabbi Eitan and Shira Shnerb, the parents of Rina Shnerb, H’yd, who was murdered in a terror attack in 2019, told Arutz Sheva about a shocking and painful meeting they had with disgraced Military Advocate General Yifat Tomer-Yerushalmi, which gave them a glimpse of the liberal views of the military justice system toward murderous terrorists. […]

President Donald Trump issued a sharp rebuke following the election of Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor, suggesting that the result reflected a temporary loss of America’s “sovereignty.”

Speaking at the America Business Forum in Miami, Trump told the crowd, “On Nov. 5, 2024, the American people reclaimed our government. We restored our sovereignty — we lost a little bit of sovereignty last night in New York, but we’ll take care of it, don’t worry about it.” He added that his movement had “rescued our economy, regained our liberty, and together, we saved our country.”

The former president drew a stark contrast between his platform and that of his political rivals. “After last night’s results, the decision facing all Americans could not be more clear. We have a choice between communism and common sense,” he declared. “Our opponents are offering an economic nightmare, we’re delivering an economic miracle.”

Turning his attention specifically to New York’s mayoral race, Trump didn’t mince words. “I said they were voting last night, you could have a communist or a thug. A communist — and they took the communist,” he remarked, in reference to Mamdani’s win over Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa.

{Matzav.com}