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By Rabbi Berach Steinfeld

In Parshas Lech Lecha, we find that after Avrohom Avinu’s victorious battle against the kings, he encountered Shem ben Noach, who served as the Kohen of that generation. The posuk tells us that Avrohom gave Shem maaser from all that he had taken.

In Parshas Toldos, we read that after Yitzchok left Avimelech, he planted a field, and it yielded “Meah She’arim” — one hundredfold. Rashi explains that Yitzchok measured the field’s extraordinary output in order to determine how much maaser he owed.

Later, in Parshas Vayeitzei, Yaakov Avinu pledges to Hashem, “Aser aasrenu lach”—I will surely tithe everything You give me. The Baalei Tosfos, citing the Medrash, note that Yaakov established the practice of giving maaser from monetary earnings. From this, Chazal derive the concept of giving a fifth of one’s income to tzedakah. This is learned from the double expression aser aasrenu—two tenths, equaling one fifth.

The Rambam (Hilchos Melachim 9:1) writes that Yitzchok instituted maaser, while the Raavad disagrees, arguing that Avrohom had already given maaser earlier. The Kesef Mishneh reconciles this by explaining that Avrohom’s gift to Shem was not maaser in the halachic sense, but rather tzedakah. His proof is that Avrohom gave only from the spoils of war, not from all his possessions. Yitzchok, by contrast, tithed all the produce of his fields.

Among the Rishonim, there is a discussion regarding maaser kesafim—whether separating a tenth from one’s income carries the same halachic weight as maaser from grain, or whether it is considered tzedakah with a minimum of one-tenth and a maximum of one-fifth.

One can harmonize the opinions by suggesting that each of the Avos introduced a different dimension of maaser: Avrohom gave maaser as tzedakah; Yitzchok tithed his agricultural produce; and Yaakov established the giving of maaser from monetary earnings.

The Shita Mekubetzes in Kesubos (50a) writes that one who earns money should first set aside a tenth for his own spiritual and religious needs, and then another tenth to give to the poor. He compares this to the two maasros given from grain—maaser sheni, eaten in Yerushalayim, and maaser ani, given to the poor. This, he explains, is likely what Yaakov meant by the double expression aser aasrenu lach. Yaakov did not say achamshenu (“I will give a fifth”) but rather “two tenths.”

Just as one may not use maaser from an already tithed crop to exempt another that has not yet been tithed, one cannot simply separate one fifth at once; the process must be done in two steps—first one tenth, then another tenth.

The Gemara teaches, Aser bishvil shetisasher—give maaser so that you may become wealthy. Indeed, maaser is not just an obligation; it is the wisest and most reliable investment a person can make.

{Matzav.com}

President Donald Trump issued a warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday after the Kremlin leader bragged about testing what he called an “invincible” nuclear-powered missile capable of striking the United States. “They know we have a nuclear submarine, the greatest in the world, right off their shore,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force […]

President Donald Trump’s visit to Tokyo on Tuesday marked one of the most eventful days of his Asia tour, as he met with newly elected Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi — Japan’s first female leader — before addressing U.S. troops and business leaders later in the day.

While Japan remains one of America’s closest allies, Trump’s trip comes at a pivotal moment for both nations. Takaichi, who assumed office only days ago, faces the dual challenge of strengthening ties with Trump and protecting Japan’s economic footing. Trump lauded her historic role, calling her appointment as Japan’s first woman prime minister “a big deal,” and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to Tokyo. “Anything I can do to help Japan, we will be there,” he said. “We are an ally at the strongest level.”

The pair began their meeting at Tokyo’s Akasaka Palace with a warm handshake, prompting Trump to joke, “That’s a very strong handshake.” Takaichi responded by offering symbolic gestures of goodwill, announcing Japan’s plan to send Washington 250 cherry trees in honor of America’s 250th anniversary, along with fireworks from Akita Prefecture for Independence Day festivities.

She also invoked the memory of her mentor, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who had forged a close friendship with Trump during his time in office. “As a matter of fact, Prime Minister Abe often told me about your dynamic diplomacy,” she said.

Trump is working to secure a $550 billion investment package from Japan as part of an expanded trade framework. Both leaders signed an agreement they described as ushering in the “golden age” of the U.S.–Japan alliance. The concise document reaffirmed a 15% tariff structure on Japanese imports and established the massive investment fund for projects in the United States.

They then finalized a second deal — this one focused on strengthening the supply chain for critical minerals and rare earth elements vital to advanced technologies. The agreement indicated that a portion of Japan’s investment would go toward the development of these strategic resources.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Takaichi would be nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, highlighting the growing rapport between the two leaders. The pair also met with families of Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea.

The event featured a distinctly American touch — reporters arriving at the palace were ushered past a gleaming gold Ford F-150 pickup truck and a row of white U.S.-made Toyota vehicles. The move appeared to nod to Trump’s long-standing complaints that Japan buys too few American-made cars, which he has often described as ill-suited to the country’s narrow streets.

Takaichi is expected to launch her own charm campaign, with discussions reportedly underway about purchasing Ford F-150 trucks for government use. Trump, who has often linked trade and security, seemed pleased by the symbolic gesture.

Trump’s Asia agenda extends well beyond Tokyo. He had arrived in Japan the previous day following a stop in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit. There, he celebrated a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, praising both governments for ending months of skirmishes after he threatened to suspend trade deals if they continued fighting.

Looking ahead, Trump’s diplomatic focus will turn toward China. Signs of easing tensions have emerged ahead of his planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in South Korea later this week. Negotiators from both sides suggested that progress was being made on a trade agreement, potentially avoiding another economic standoff between the two global powers.

Still, uncertainties remain. China recently altered its export policies on rare earth minerals vital for technology production — a move that prompted Trump to threaten tariffs he admitted “would be unsustainable” if prolonged. Whether the new accord will restore balance to U.S.-China relations remains to be seen.

Trump will conclude his Tokyo visit with a speech aboard the USS George Washington, an American aircraft carrier stationed near Tokyo Bay, before heading Wednesday to Seoul for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit — the next stop in his high-stakes Asian tour.

As the chareidi community braces for Thursday’s massive atzeres tefillah in Yerushalayim following the recent arrests of yeshiva bochurim who refused to report to army draft offices, Rav Moshe Maya, senior member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah of Shas, issued a passionate call for every member of the tzibbur to attend.

Speaking on Kol Chai Radio’s Mahadura HaMerkazit with Avi Mimran, Rav Maya condemned the recent arrests and warned against complacency. “The Gemara says that because Rabi Eliezer did not protest when his neighbor’s cow went out on Shabbos with a strap between its horns, the transgression was attributed to him. If a person has the ability to protest and does not, he is held accountable for that sin,” Rav Maya said.

The Rav’s voice rose with emotion as he declared, “To arrest talmidei chachamim, there is no greater disgrace to talmidei chachamim than this. And if we remain silent, we become partners in that disgrace. One who can protest but does not is held responsible for the sin of degrading talmidei chachamim. And whoever disgraces talmidei chachamim has no share in the World to Come. We are talking about our very Olam Haba! Therefore, it is an absolute obligation to attend the atzeres.”

Addressing recent criticism of Shas chairman Aryeh Deri, Rav Maya forcefully rejected the attacks. “Even without bringing racism into the discussion, Aryeh Deri is a great talmid chacham,” he said. “He has always sought the guidance of the gedolei hador. He does not act on his own—he does what the rabbonim tell him to do.”

{Matzav.com}

Long before his presidency, Donald Trump pitched the idea of constructing a grand ballroom at the White House — even personally offering to design and build it for President Barack Obama back in 2010. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, the Obama administration ultimately ignored the offer.

For over fifteen years, Trump had envisioned an elegant ballroom on White House grounds that could host major state dinners, official receptions, and high-profile gatherings of world leaders and celebrities. The Journal revealed that in early 2010, Trump placed a call to David Axelrod, then one of Obama’s closest advisers, after being introduced by MSNBC’s Mika Brzezinski.

“He said, ‘You have these state dinners in [profanity] little tents,’” Axelrod recalled in an interview. “He said, ‘I build ballrooms. I build the most beautiful ballrooms in the world. You can come to Florida and see for yourself.’”

At the time, Trump proposed constructing a modular ballroom on White House property — one that could be assembled or taken apart as needed. “I was thinking, we’re in the middle of a recession, I’m not sure about this,” Axelrod admitted. He suggested Trump contact the administration’s social secretary about the idea, but the conversation went nowhere.

As the Journal noted, Trump approached the proposal the same way he tackled most of his projects — by navigating regulations and identifying creative ways to push construction through bureaucratic channels. His vision was for a permanent, opulent space worthy of major state functions.

That vision has now come full circle. The White House ballroom is finally being built, funded entirely by private donors at an estimated cost of $350 million.

Even The Washington Post editorial board defended the project, pointing out that both Obama and Biden administration alumni had long acknowledged the need for such an indoor facility. They noted that the current setup — where visiting dignitaries must cross the lawn to temporary tents and rely on outdoor portable restrooms — has been a long-standing embarrassment at major White House events.

{Matzav.com}

A British political commentator who once urged Muslims to “celebrate the victory” after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 massacre in Israel was detained by U.S. authorities Sunday –  part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on foreign nationals accused of supporting terrorism. Sami Hamdi, a London-based pundit with a history of inflammatory statements, was taken into custody […]

As preparations intensify for Thursday’s large atzeres tefillah in Yerushalayim, Israeli Transportation Minister Miri Regev announced that her ministry is coordinating enhanced public transportation to accommodate the anticipated crowds. “Wherever we identify heavy traffic, we will increase transportation service,” Regev told Kol Chai radio.

Regev emphasized her respect for lomdei Torah, saying, “We respect those for whom Toraso umanuso. There’s no doubt that we must strengthen those who learn Torah, but those who don’t learn must serve. The law we will bring will be very balanced — it has been coordinated with the chareidi representatives, including Ariel Atias of Shas, and with the IDF. It’s a good law for everyone.”

Responding to claims that Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu is hesitant to pass the draft law, Regev pushed back: “That’s completely untrue. Netanyahu believes the law must be passed, and that’s why he replaced former Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee chairman Yuli Edelstein. Boaz Bismuth is determined to pass the law, and it will happen.”

Addressing the situation in Gaza, Regev said, “According to the Trump plan, we now control over 50% of the Strip, while Hamas still holds the rest. But we will not leave until the area is demilitarized and a new government arises there. The administration in Kiryat Gat is handling all the logistical issues, and we will not agree to any Turkish or Qatari presence.”

Regev added that Hamas knows where the bodies of the deceased hostages are located. “They can return them all. If they don’t, we’ll have to enter the areas where they’re holding them,” she warned.

Regarding Thursday’s rally, Regev assured that her ministry is fully prepared: “We’ll act just as we do for any major event. Once we identify congestion at specific locations, we’ll increase public transport on the spot. Israel Railways will add trains to Yerushalayim, and bus operators will also increase service.”

{Matzav.com}

Elon Musk has officially launched Grokipedia, an online encyclopedia that he says will serve as an alternative to Wikipedia — one shaped more by artificial intelligence and less by what he calls “woke” bias. Musk described the project as a major milestone in building tools that reflect his worldview and push back against the dominance of traditional media outlets.

The billionaire entrepreneur said he was inspired to pursue the idea after a conversation with his friend and fellow investor David Sacks, who currently serves as the Trump administration’s AI and crypto czar. Musk accused Wikipedia of leaning left politically and frequently relying on outlets such as The New York Times and NPR, which he has criticized for promoting partisan narratives.

“An AI-generated encyclopedia would be super important for civilization,” Musk wrote on X, calling the effort an essential step toward “understanding the Universe.”

Unlike Wikipedia, where thousands of human volunteers write and edit pages, Grokipedia will rely on Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, from his company xAI, to verify and compile content. Readers can suggest corrections using a pop-up form, but they cannot directly edit entries themselves.

Many of Grokipedia’s pages acknowledge that they are derived from Wikipedia under a Creative Commons license. A notice on several entries, including the one for the Nobel Prize in physics, reads: “The content is adapted from Wikipedia, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License.” Some pages, particularly those on general topics, appear nearly identical to their Wikipedia counterparts.

Musk, however, has made it clear that his long-term goal is to eliminate Wikipedia as a data source entirely. He said Grok will stop drawing from Wikipedia’s database by the end of the year.

The differences between the two platforms are already visible. On Grokipedia, the page for President Donald Trump omits details about his alleged acceptance of a luxury aircraft from Qatar and his involvement with a Trump-themed cryptocurrency token — both of which appear in Wikipedia’s section on conflicts of interest. Similarly, Musk’s own entry on Grokipedia leaves out mention of a rally gesture that many observers labeled a Nazi salute, a topic discussed extensively on his Wikipedia page.

Responding to the new site’s debut, the Wikimedia Foundation emphasized that human input remains central to its mission. “Wikipedia’s knowledge is — and always will be — human,” the organization said in a statement. “Through open collaboration and consensus, people from all backgrounds build a neutral, living record of human understanding — one that reflects our diversity and collective curiosity. This human-created knowledge is what AI companies rely on to generate content; even Grokipedia needs Wikipedia to exist.”

The Foundation added, “Many experiments to create alternative versions of Wikipedia have happened before; it doesn’t interfere with our work or mission.”

The launch of Grokipedia pits the world’s richest man against one of the most visited sites on the internet. According to Similarweb, Wikipedia ranks ninth globally in traffic, far surpassing older encyclopedic resources such as Encyclopedia Britannica.

Wikipedia has long symbolized an earlier era of the internet — one driven by open collaboration rather than the influence of corporate tech giants. Founded in 2001 by Jimmy Wales and Larry Sanger, the site has remained ad-free and nonprofit, supported largely by volunteer editors.

Sanger, who co-founded Wikipedia, has in recent years become one of its harshest critics, charging that its anonymous editing model has led to ideological bias. He repeated those accusations in a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, which Sacks later shared on X.

While Wikipedia currently boasts about 7.1 million English-language entries, Grokipedia launches with roughly 885,000. The new platform’s homepage labels it “version 0.1,” signaling that Musk sees this as just the beginning of what he hopes will become a major AI-driven knowledge network.

{Matzav.com}

As the Supreme Court weighs challenges to the proposed Chok HaGiyus (Draft Law), MK Meir Porush remains unfazed. Speaking in a firm and emotional tone, Porush emphasized that arresting lomdei Torah in a Jewish state is “unthinkable” and urged for unity ahead of Thursday’s massive tefillah rally in Yerushalayim.

In an interview with Avi Mimran on Mahadura HaMerkazit, Porush condemned the government’s handling of the yeshiva bochurim arrests carried out by the military police. “Our message is simple,” he said. “We are asking to be allowed to learn Torah here, in Eretz Yisroel. People gave their lives to come to this land.”

Porush stressed that every Jew who wishes to dedicate himself to Torah study must be free to do so: “Every person sitting and learning Torah should receive a deferment,” he declared. He reiterated that detaining bnei Torah for doing what generations have sacrificed to preserve is unacceptable in a state that calls itself Jewish.

Mimran raised the question of Porush’s earlier hunger strike outside the Attorney General’s office, wondering why it did not draw broader public support. Porush responded that he did not seek to rally others for his protest but acted out of conviction. “We must stay focused on our goal,” he said. “We will be united. I promise you, when we are united, we will be able to withstand anyone who seeks to harm us.”

When asked if he feared that a new draft law could again be overturned by the Supreme Court, Porush dismissed the concern. “So, what do you suggest—that we do nothing?” he asked. “Our responsibility is to do what’s in our hands to do. There’s no such thing as saying, ‘Maybe I’ll fail, so I won’t act.’ We must act and trust in Hashem.”

{Matzav.com}

Bar Kupershtein, one of the Israelis recently released from Hamas captivity, offered a harrowing account of his time in Gaza during an interview with Kan 11’s Real Time program. His testimony shed light on the brutal reality endured by those held by the terror organization — starvation, violence, and psychological torment.

Kupershtein said the hostages were routinely deprived of food and endured constant fear. “There were days when there was simply no food,” he recalled. “There was a guy whose job was to make sure we weren’t treated too well. We didn’t see them eat, but you could tell they were gaining strength while we were wasting away.”

He described a particularly savage beating that followed comments made by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir about tightening conditions for jailed terrorists. “They came in and just beat us,” Kupershtein said. “They told us, ‘This is because of Ben Gvir. What he’s doing to our prisoners, you’ll suffer in return.’ They repeated it several times. They lined us up against the wall, hit us, humiliated us. Then they took me to their room, tied my legs to a stick, and beat the soles of my feet. They broke several toes – I couldn’t walk for a month.”

The former captive described the sheer terror of that moment, saying, “I thought they were going to amputate my legs. You think, ‘This is it. It’s over.’ You see your whole life pass before your eyes.”

Kupershtein also spoke about being interrogated at gunpoint by Hamas operatives desperate to determine who among the captives had served in the IDF. “They wanted to know who was a soldier and who wasn’t. I told them I had finished my service and worked in security. I managed to confuse them. At that point, I was just trying to survive.”

When asked whether he blamed Minister Ben Gvir for the repercussions of his statements, Kupershtein expressed frustration. “I was angry it reached the media. We were in their hands – how do you give them a reason to abuse us? You’re a government minister. Your job is to protect us.”

In response, Minister Ben Gvir defended himself while expressing solidarity with the freed hostage. “I embrace Bar Kupershtein and all the hostages who returned home, but the Israeli media is adopting Hamas’s narrative. Hamas didn’t need an excuse to murder, rape, and burn babies. These atrocities occurred long before any prison changes – changes which, at the time, Prime Minister Netanyahu did not permit me to implement. Today, even the Shin Bet acknowledges that publicizing the policy led to a decrease in attacks.”

{Matzav.com}

After months of boycotting Knesset votes in protest over the coalition’s failure to pass the giyus law and formally secure the status of yeshiva bochurim, leaders of the chareidi parties are now considering a striking move — throwing their support behind the proposal to divide the powers of Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara.

In recent days, heads of the chareidi factions have been deliberating whether to end their boycott for this specific vote, viewing it as a direct and fitting response to the attorney general’s pressure on the IDF to arrest yeshiva bochurim.

“This is the only response we have to the yo’etzet,” said a senior chareidi official. “She can’t provoke a crisis with the chareidi factions over the arrests and then also enjoy the benefits that come with it.”

Another senior figure added, “It’s not just Gali Baharav-Miara — the entire legal system is waging war against the tzibbur hachareidi, and we cannot allow them to benefit from their own campaign of persecution.”

The bill in question argues that there is an inherent conflict of interest when the same person both advises the government and has the authority to prosecute its members. Under the proposed law, the role of the yo’etz hamishpati lamemshalah would be divided into three: one to serve as the government’s legal adviser, another as the state prosecutor, and a third responsible for representing the government before the Bagatz.

Attorney General Baharav-Miara has voiced fierce opposition to the proposal, claiming that “these initiatives must be opposed and should not move forward. They constitute a dangerous change to the system of governance, being pushed hastily, without due process or consultation with relevant officials, and appear to be driven by personal interests related to ongoing criminal cases and the identity of the state prosecutor.”

If the chareidi factions do decide to suspend their boycott and vote in favor of the bill, it would mark a dramatic turnaround, transforming their quiet protest against the coalition into a bold act of defiance aimed squarely at what they see as an increasingly hostile legal establishment.

{Matzav.com}

Israeli officials are expressing growing frustration over Hamas’s continued “foot-dragging” in ongoing negotiations regarding the return of the bodies of Israeli soldiers held in Gaza. According to a report broadcast Monday evening on Channel 13 News, Israeli intelligence now believes that Hamas knows the precise burial locations of at least ten fallen hostages, including Lt. […]

At Monday’s United Torah Judaism faction meeting in the Knesset, MK Yisrael Eichler delivered an emotional address urging that the upcoming atzeres in Yerushalayim — organized in response to the proposed draft law — include traditional and religious Jews from across Israel.

During the discussion, party members focused on preparations for Thursday’s massive event in the capital, which will take place in protest of the draft decree. The gathering, organized as a maamad tefillah rather than a protest, is expected to draw hundreds of thousands.

Eichler told his colleagues that this was “an opportunity to call upon the entire religious and traditional public in Israel to join in prayer for the preservation of the Jewish identity of the state.” He added, “This is a chance to bring in hundreds of thousands more who say Shema Yisrael, so that the Jewish cry will echo from one end of the world to the other.”

To emphasize his message, Eichler shared a poignant story about the late attorney Yaakov Weinroth: “At the previous million-strong gathering that took place at the gates of Yerushalayim, Reb Yaakov Weinroth, zichrono livracha, told us that he was once driving and heard the words Shema Yisrael being recited live on the radio. He thought to himself — who am I with? With those driving beside me, or with those crying out Shema Yisrael? Immediately, he decided, ‘I am with those who cry Shema Yisrael!’ And tears streamed from his eyes.”

Meanwhile, organizers of Thursday’s gathering confirmed that coordination meetings were held with senior Yerushalayim Police commanders to finalize technical arrangements. Police officials reportedly expressed satisfaction with the coordination and clarified that the event would be recognized as a tefillah assembly, not a demonstration.

A statement released Monday night by the event’s organizers said: “The mass tefillah gathering has received police approval and, with the help of Heaven, will take place this Thursday in the streets of Yerushalayim, with the blessing of the Gedolei Yisroel and the Torah and Chassidic leaders shlit”a. The approvals were finalized following another meeting between the organizing committee and the Yerushalayim Police.”

{Matzav.com}

I recently came across a story that has not left my mind. In the days of the Ksav Sofer, a non-Jewish servant in the Governor’s mansion was caught stealing. Fearing for his life, he hid the stolen goods in the home of a poor, innocent Yid. The authorities searched every house and, of course, “found” […]

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson ignited controversy this weekend with comments denying the existence of “illegal aliens” in his city and accusing those who use the term of racism. Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Johnson claimed it was offensive and discriminatory to use such language when referring to migrants.

“We don’t have illegal aliens,” Johnson declared defiantly. “I don’t know if that’s from some sort of sci-fi message that you wish you’ve had.” His remarks came in response to a reporter’s question about why his administration has not yet provided a federal report detailing how much taxpayer money has been spent on illegal migrants housed in Chicago.

Johnson then pivoted to racial comparisons, saying, “Listen, the legal term for my people were slaves. You want me to use that term, too?” He continued by suggesting that referring to migrants as “illegal” was equivalent to calling Black Americans “slaves.”

The mayor used the opportunity to lecture members of the press, insisting that their framing of the issue was inhumane. “Let’s just get the language right,” he said sharply. “We’re talking about undocumented individuals that are human beings. The last thing that I’m going to do is accept that type of racist, nasty language to describe human beings.”

He later uploaded a video of the exchange to his Instagram page, doubling down on his comments. His caption read, “This isn’t a sci-fi show. These are human beings. We will not abandon our humanity to score cheap political points.”

Johnson’s stance reflects his long-standing opposition to federal immigration enforcement. He has repeatedly criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, branding it as cruel and unjust. Most recently, Johnson accused the president of having “declared war” on Chicago—an accusation that came despite Trump’s stated goal of deporting millions of migrants who entered the country unlawfully.

The Chicago mayor’s refusal to support even basic deportation measures has stunned critics. When pressed during an interview on whether he would approve the deportation of a violent migrant who had raped his wife, Johnson dodged the question. He has also said in the past that ICE officers should themselves be arrested for carrying out deportations—an order his own police chief declined to enforce.

Johnson frequently merges racial politics with immigration debates, framing opposition to illegal immigration as equivalent to anti-Black racism. He has repeatedly accused critics of bigotry for raising concerns about migrants overwhelming city resources, burdening schools and hospitals, and contributing to crime.

Earlier this month, after President Trump accused both Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker of failing to protect residents, Johnson fired back: “This is not the first time Trump has tried to have a Black man unjustly arrested.” His response suggested that any criticism directed toward him was motivated by race rather than his administration’s handling of Chicago’s worsening migrant crisis.

{Matzav.com}

Rav Chaim Feinstein, Rosh Yeshiva of Ateres Shlomo, sent a deeply moving and highly unusual letter to his talmid, Ariel Shamai, who was recently arrested and imprisoned in Military Prison 10 for draft evasion.

Rav Feinstein, who last week delivered a shiur chizuk outside the prison where Shamai is being held, began his heartfelt message as follows:

“My dear, beloved son, treasure of my heart, the precious and outstanding bochur, sharp and knowledgeable, with deep and clear understanding — Ariel Shamai shlit”a. I write to inquire about your wellbeing. My dear one, know the greatness of your merit, for you have been chosen by Divine Providence to demonstrate an extraordinary level of self-sacrifice for Torah. One moment of pain in holiness is worth a hundred moments without it, and your reward is beyond measure.”

Rav Feinstein continued by comparing his student’s imprisonment to the suffering endured by gedolei Torah throughout history:

“Know that you are continuing the chain of generations who gave their lives for Torah for the honor of Hashem, who studied even during decrees of the kingdoms, like Rabi Akiva and those who followed in every generation. You have been elevated to join that line of righteous men who walked the path of those who love Hashem and think of His Name. You are a shliach tzibbur, a representative of the Torah world. It is not you who has been placed in prison, but rather all those who toil in Torah. In truth, it is the honor of the Torah itself that has been confined — and you hold the Sefer Torah with you. Therefore, let your heart not fall; on the contrary, he who releases the honor of the Torah from captivity will also bring about your release.”

The Rosh Yeshiva urged his talmid to maintain joy and spiritual strength despite the suffering: “Meanwhile, be joyous that you have merited to reach such heights — to serve as a shaliach tzibbur like the Kohen Gadol entering the Kodesh HaKodoshim on Yom Kippur on behalf of all of Israel. Be strong and of good courage, valiant warrior, for many are with you. Strengthen yourself and delve into Torah amid difficulty, for one who studies Torah through hardship finds that the curtain of Heaven is never closed before him. In that merit, you will rise and grow in Torah, understand and grasp the depths of the sugyos, innovate true insights, and be granted the revelation of Torah secrets — until you become a great marbitz Torah in Klal Yisroel.”

Rav Feinstein’s letter concluded with a moving bracha for spiritual protection: “May Hashem help you guard your holy and pure eyes from all the sights of impurity that exist there, whether from people or from the impure devices around you. Be like Yosef HaTzaddik, who did not look upon them and therefore merited two tribes and two portions in the Land. I already see the golden crown upon your neck and the fine gold upon your arms — ‘from there, the Shepherd, the Rock of Israel.’ Do not feel you are equal to those around you, for your level is incomparable; you are spiritual and exalted beyond them. I join with you in love — my heart beats warmly for you and for your Torah, as I await the salvation of Hashem, speedily and lovingly.”

{Matzav.com}

A tense on-air showdown between Sen. Rubén Gallego (D-Ariz.) and CNBC “Squawk Box” host Joe Kernen boiled over Monday morning, ending abruptly when the anchor terminated the interview after a fiery exchange over the ongoing government shutdown and Democrats’ demand to extend Affordable Care Act subsidies. The back-and-forth began with Kernen questioning competing Senate spending […]

An Israeli educator visiting New York City was violently assaulted Monday in what authorities are investigating as an antisemitic hate crime, Ynet reports. The incident occurred as 58-year-old Rami Glickstein walked toward the popular kosher eatery “Mr. Broadway” on 38th Street in Manhattan.

According to Glickstein, the attack began when a man confronted him, gesturing toward his kippah and asking, “Tell me about your religion.” When Glickstein didn’t respond, the stranger snatched the kippah off his head, hurled it to the sidewalk, and spat on it. As Glickstein bent to retrieve it, the man struck him in the face.

Shocked onlookers immediately called police and emergency services while yelling at the attacker, who quickly fled the scene. Glickstein, bloodied and shaken, managed to make it inside the restaurant before being taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The suspect remains at large as law enforcement continues its search.

“My Israeli pride was hurt,” Glickstein said. “It pains me that I couldn’t fight back, and I regret that deeply.” He noted that, beyond his teaching work, he also lectures for the IDF.

{Matzav.com}

In a rare public statement, Rav Shmuel Betzalel, a member of the Moetzet Chachmei HaTorah, Rosh Yeshiva of Porat Yosef, and head of the Shas Yeshiva Heads Committee on Maintaining the Status of the Torah World, issued a strong letter of support for Shas chairman Aryeh Deri following a series of leaked recordings broadcast over the past few days.

The recordings, aired on Channel 12, featured Rav Betzalel expressing opposition to the proposed draft law, saying, “I cannot come today and say not to make a law, but in truth, I pray there will be no law. It’s not a good law. Perhaps they should have forced them: a ben Torah without sanctions, without restrictions.”

The comments were seen as dramatic, since Shas has officially supported legislation to formalize the draft exemption with certain sanctions and limitations.

In his letter released Monday evening, Rav Betzalel defended Deri and clarified the process behind the draft discussions: “I hereby declare that everything related to the draft law is done solely with the consent of the Committee of Yeshiva Heads. And I testify that no external figure was involved in any of the decisions.”

He continued, acknowledging the law’s imperfections but defending the necessity of compromise: “We are aware of all the flaws in this law, but given the situation and the reality that has arisen, we must agree to the law. It is not the place here to detail all the reasons for this. I have seen libelous writings that scream of the baseness of their authors, testifying that there is no fear of G-d in their hearts, attacking a precious and G-d-fearing man, shlucha derabbanan, who has toiled for decades to spread Torah and yiras Shamayim. I do not know of another person in our generation or the one before it who has increased Torah and fear of Heaven through his great endeavors like Rav Aryeh Deri shlit”a.”

Rav Betzalel concluded sharply: “I was shocked by these wayward youths, devoid of Torah and fear of Heaven. Please desist from your actions and guard your souls. Beware of the attribute of judgment.”

The letter comes amid turmoil following recordings of the Rishon LeTzion Rav Yitzchak Yosef, who was heard criticizing Shas leadership and Prime Minister Netanyahu over the same draft law, saying, “If my father were alive, none of this would be happening. He would bang on the table and tell Deri, ‘There will be no government in Israel; there will be elections.’” Rav Yosef went on to describe Netanyahu as “an atheist on a high level” and “a blind fox,” adding that “Maran did not like him at all.”

Also heard in the leaked recordings was Rav Moshe Maya, senior member of the Moetzes, declaring, “If they enter the government, I will immediately resign from the council. They won’t do it. I told them to go to elections. There will be no coalition.”

{Matzav.com}

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