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Pro-terrorist Hasan Piker speaking at a American pro Palestinian event: “Do it out of spite… find that anger within your heart to continue.”

Bochrim from Yeshivas Mir Yerushalyim dancing after Kiddush Levana on Motzei Shabbos.

Mayor of Yerushalyim, Moshe Lion, was warmly welcomed together with MK Moshe Gafni to the singing of “Se’u She’arim” at the inauguration of the new building of Talmud Torah HaMasorah, which fully integrates children with special needs into the school.

Yoav Gallant, Israel’s former defense minister, disclosed in a televised interview that the Mossad’s initial plan for striking Iran had been abandoned before October 7. He explained on Meet the Press that the strategy was ultimately set aside.

According to Gallant, the proposed operation was “too complex and not lethal enough.” He added that in March 2023 he had advanced an alternative strategy, which he described as a “100 day paper,” focused on concentrated aerial attacks against the Iranian regime.

The shelved proposal, he explained, would have cost the state billions of shekels and required an enormous amount of intelligence to implement effectively. Gallant said repeated delays meant it would not have been operational in time for Israel to respond when needed.

“Anyone going to war with Iran must assume Hezbollah will be drawn in,” he continued, while criticizing Naftali Bennett and Benny Gantz for failing to expand Israel’s military stockpiles when they were in government. “200,000 shells were taken from us for Ukraine. Did they order a single new shell to be produced? The answer is no.”

Gallant expressed admiration for the IDF’s role in Operation Rising Lion, stressing that while the Mossad played a small part, the Air Force executed most of the mission with intelligence gathered by the military.

He said Iran’s nuclear program has been pushed back “by years,” though he cautioned that Tehran will eventually rebuild and Israel must be ready for the next confrontation on that front.

Gallant also outlined that at the start of the Israel-Hamas conflict, five objectives were defined. Of these, three have already been realized: dismantling Hamas’ organizational capacity, eliminating much of its leadership, and securing unrestricted military freedom for the IDF inside Gaza.

“To achieve the two remaining goals, returning the hostages and replacing Hamas’ rule with an adequate alternative, requires a political arrangement,” Gallant said on the program. He argued that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich currently wield “veto power” within the government.

He pressed them, and the rest of the cabinet, to accept the ceasefire and hostage-release proposal put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

“We do not leave anyone behind: Not wounded soldiers and definitely not civilians,” Gallant said. “I believe that we must bring all the hostages home and if we can bring home ten hostages, half of those who are still alive, and the remains of the deceased hostages in the first stage of the deal, then we must take it.”

{Matzav.com}

The White House has confirmed it is moving forward with a plan to rebrand the Pentagon, with officials saying the Department of Defense will once again be called the Department of War, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The original Department of War was created in 1789 to oversee the country’s armed forces. Its name was altered after World War II to the National Military Establishment, before being changed again to the Department of Defense.

Deputy press secretary Anna Kelly explained to Fox News that the move reflects an effort to bring back traditional American military principles.

“As President [Donald] Trump said, our military should be focused on offense — not just defense — which is why he has prioritized warfighters at the Pentagon instead of DEI and woke ideology,” Kelly wrote in a statement. “Stay tuned!”

This announcement followed comments from Trump earlier in the week, where he indicated the adjustment was coming soon.

“You know, we call it the Department of Defense, but between us, I think we’re going to change the name,” the president said at the White House earlier in the week. “You want to know the truth, I think we’re going to have some information on that, maybe soon.”

He also pointed to the legacy of the department’s original name, stressing its association with decisive victories.

“We won World War I [and] World War II. It was called the Department of War. To me, that’s really what it is,” he said. “I’m talking to the people. Everybody likes that. We had an unbelievable history of victory when it was Department of War. Then we changed it to Department of Defense.”

Since Congress is responsible for authorizing executive departments, a legal change would require an amendment, although Trump suggested he may not see that as necessary.

“I’m sure Congress will go along if we need that. I don’t think we even need that. But, if we need that, I’m sure Congress will go along,” Trump said. “Defense is too defensive. And we want to be defensive, but we want to be offensive too if we have to be. So, it just sounded to me like a better name.”

At this stage, the president could either push legislation to formally establish the new title or move ahead with an unofficial rebranding on his own.

{Matzav.com}

Trump announced he will sign an executive order requiring voter ID for every ballot and banning universal mail-in voting, declaring: “USE PAPER BALLOTS ONLY!”

The boats participating in the “Freedom Flotilla to Gaza” are preparing for their departure today from the port of Barcelona towards the port of Gaza.

In a joint operation, the Judea and Samaria District police, IDF troops, and Border Police arrested 10 suspects and seized dozens of weapons and explosives as part of their ongoing crackdown on illegal arms possession and use.

IDF forces foiled a weapons smuggling attempt on Israel’s western border after spotting a drone crossing into the Paran Brigade area on Saturday; soldiers intercepted the drone, seized the weapons, and transferred them to security authorities for further handling.

HATE IN FRANCE: The Holocaust memorial in Lyon, France, was defaced with graffiti reading “Free Gaza.”

Gazan journalists report a major movement of evacuees yesterday from northern Gaza to the south along the coastal road, ahead of Israel’s latest operation.

Lebanese media report that Israel has dropped leaflets over southern Lebanon, warning residents against assisting Hezbollah in rebuilding its border terror infrastructure.

A train derailed in Egypt’s Matrouh Governorate while heading to Cairo, leaving passengers outraged as help failed to arrive for hours; the accident killed three people and injured 54 others.

Organizers of the “Freedom Flotilla to Gaza” announced that a fleet will depart from Barcelona on August 31 and another from Tunisia on September 4, with around 70 ships expected to join in an attempt to “break the siege,” and Greta Thunberg is reportedly set to sail to Gaza again.

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard declared that it had detained eight people accused of trying to provide Israel’s Mossad intelligence service with details about senior Iranian commanders and sensitive military coordinates, according to Reuters.

The arrests are tied to Israel’s aerial offensive in June, which struck Iranian nuclear facilities and left both senior officers and civilians dead.

Officials in the Revolutionary Guard claimed the suspects had undergone virtual training sessions led by Mossad. The group was reportedly caught in Iran’s northeast before they could carry out their mission, and authorities say they confiscated equipment designed for building bombs, launch devices, and booby traps.

Tehran has long alleged that Israel is behind sabotage and covert actions inside Iran, and frequently announces arrests or executions of people it says spied for Mossad.

Last year, Iran announced the execution of a man it called a “terrorist” who had been accused of working with Mossad in connection with a drone strike against a defense ministry facility in central Iran the previous year.

One month earlier, Iranian officials claimed they had executed four individuals for spying for Mossad, asserting that the group had been in contact with Mossad director David Barnea, received training in Africa, and slipped into Iran through Iraq’s Kurdish region.

In December 2023, Tehran further reported that it had executed what it described as an “Israeli Mossad spy” in the country’s southeast.

Over the last several months, Iran has carried out executions of at least eight people on espionage charges. Among them was nuclear scientist Rouzbeh Vadi, who was put to death on August 9, accused of passing intelligence to Israel concerning another scientist killed in Israeli strikes.

Just days after Vadi’s death, Iranian authorities revealed they had taken 20 more people into custody, claiming they too were tied to Mossad. Officials have warned that those found guilty will receive the harshest penalties.

{Matzav.com}

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu on Sunday morning referred to the attempted assassination of Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida at the weekly cabinet meeting, which was held in a secret location. “The IDF attacked the evil spokesman Abu Obeida,” Netanyahu said. “We are waiting for the results. I notice that Hamas’s announcement is a bit delayed; apparently there’s no one to speak for it.” A Palestinian source confirmed to Al Arabiya on Sunday morning that Abu Obeida was killed in the strike. According to the report, Abu Obeida’s family and Hamas officials confirmed his death. There has been no official confirmation from the terror group, which sometimes waits months before confirming the deaths of senior figures. New details about the targeted strike were revealed on Sunday. A Palestinian source told Sky News Arabia that Abu Obeida and his family had rented the apartment targeted in the strike only a few days ago. According to the same source, Abu Obeida’s wife and children were at home at the time of the attack. He noted that “large amounts of banknotes were scattered during the bombing.” IAF fighter jets fired a precision missile at the second and third floors of the building. The operation was overseen by the Shin Bet’s special operations command center in central Israel. The Palestinian source further told Sky News Arabia that after the attack, Hamas terrorists closed off the area around the building and prevented civilians from approaching the area so they could first retrieve the bodies. Abu Obeida, whose real name is Hudayfa Samir Abdallah al-Kahlout, has served as the spokesman for the Ezzedeen al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, since at least 2007. He concealed his face behind a red keffiyeh at all public appearances, gradually becoming a symbolic figure of the terror organization. Abu Obeida has been the driving force behind Hamas’ psychological terror warfare, and his elimination could undermine the group’s ability to shape public perception. His loss is expected to have a significant impact on the terror group due to his close ties to senior Hamas officials and his influence on the group’s decisions. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Dovid HaMelech was always praising, composing and singing beautiful songs to Hashem. He encouraged us to do the same “שירו לה’ שיר חדש” – SING TO HASHEM A NEW SONG. Truth be said, we have so many reasons to be thankful and sing to Hashem.  So here we are with a new meaningful song “בקשו פני” for the start of חודש אלול. What better time is there then now, to release this hartzedeke melody, as we begin reciting twice daily these holy words in the prayer of “לדוד ה’ אורי וישעי”. It is Hashem’s timeless message to Dovid HaMelech and to all of us. “Seek and be aware of My Presence, everywhere, all the time”. This must be our number one priority and lifes mission. Hashem says, make sure I am involved in your life and take Me into consideration in all your decisions. To that end I thank Hashem for once again conveying His holy message through me in this beautiful melody and simultaneously through the release of the new holy Sefer לפניך. Living Lefonecho Lives is Hashem’s foremost will for all of us. כתיבה וחתימה טובה Check out the all new https://www.lefonecho.com/ website To listen or download Rabbi Yaakov Singer’s entire music album visit https://rabbiyaakovsinger.com/music/ To order the לפניך Sefer in Hebrew or English visit https://www.lefonecho.com/order-sefer Listen to some great Podcasts from Rabbi Yaakov Singer:https://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/illuminating-parsha-insightshttps://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/timelyilluminationshiurimhttps://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/spiritualinspirationrabbiyaakovsingerhttps://listen.jewishpodcasts.fm/pirkei-avos-with-rabbi-yaakov-singer Visit the inspiring https://rabbiyaakovsinger.com/ website

In this episode, Rabbi Reinman shows how Galus Bavel foreshadowed the good and bad times in the Jewish diaspora.

Chapter Thirty-five: The Babylonian Exile

Unlike the Assyrians, the Babylonians were astute victors, and the ten thousand captives carried off from Yehudah eleven years before the destruction of Yerushalayim had been treated well. Nevuchadnezzar recognized the nobility of the Jewish core element that had maintained its high moral standards in the face of adversity, and he sought to integrate this elite group into the multiethnic Babylonian tapestry, along with the elites of other communities in the far-flung empire.

As part of this program, the king invited the best and brightest young men from the various communities to live in the royal palace where they would be educated and trained for service. Among these apprentices were four young Jewish prodigies named Daniel, Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah, and in order to integrate them better, Nevuchadnezzar gave them the Babylonian names Belteshazzar, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Daniel’s rise in the imperial government was meteoric, and he became governor of Babylon. The others also rose to high positions.

At this point, there was a religious crisis. Nevuchadnezzar erected an enormous golden idol on the plain of Dura near Babylon, and he decreed  that at specific times everyone had to bow down to it. All who refused would be thrown into a fiery furnace. This was not a religion decree. Those who bowed down were free to practice their own religion any way they saw fit. Rather, it was a political decree. Honoring the king included honoring his god. Failure to do so disrespected the king. Chananiah, Mishael and Azariah refused to comply and were thrown into the furnace. When they emerged safely, Nevuchadnezzar declared, “Praise be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent His angel and rescued His servants … for no other god can save in this way.”

Protected by royal sanction, the Jewish exiles began to lay the foundations of the great Babylonian Jewish community that would endure for a thousand years.

The immediate concern of this first group of exiles was the preservation of the Torah, especially the Oral Law without which the Torah cannot be understood. From the beginning, the Oral Law had been passed down by a system of transmission supervised by the leading Torah sage of each generation. After Yehoshua, this task had been shouldered by the Judges, the Torah sages who were also the unofficial political leaders. With the rise of the monarchy, the stewardship of the Oral Law had been assumed by the unbroken succession of Prophets, which ran parallel to the royal succession. But now the kingdom was on the verge of collapse, and the dispersion had already begun. Yirmiyahu had prophesied that the exile would end after seventy years, but what form would the restoration assume? Would there always be prophets to teach the people? And if not, how would the special bond between the Jewish people and God and His Torah be sustained?

Paradoxically, exile and captivity had brought the core element of the Jewish people more freedom than it had enjoyed in a century. In Babylon, there were no corrupt monarchs and pagan enthusiasts to battle for the Jewish soul. Confined to this distant land but breathing the heady air of spiritual freedom, these elite exiles, among whom there were a thousand sages, understood that the future of the Jewish people rested on their shoulders. They knew that it was their mission to form the nucleus of a rejuvenated Jewish nation, and they poured all their energies into creating a solid bedrock of Torah for the future. They established numerous yeshivahs in all the cities and towns where they settled, and the intense study of the Torah flourished …

Read full chapter and earlier chapters at www.rabbireinman.com.

{Matzav.com}

Israel’s military police attempted to arrest an avreich for “draft dodging” in the Chareidi city of Beitar Illit on Motzei Shabbos. Police officers arrived at the home of a family on Elazar Hamoda’i Street in Beitar Illit in an attempt to arrest their son but were unsuccessful since the son is married and no longer lives at home. The “Tzeva Shachor” emergency alert system to activate bnei yeshivos to protest at the scene led to a crowd of Chareidi protesters flocking to the area, and the police officers retreated. The alert system informed the public residing in the area to remain on high alert in anticipation of another arrest attempt, but no additional attempts were made. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)

Government ministers received a message on Sunday morning that the government meeting later in the day will take place at a confidential, secured site amid threats by the Houthis to avenge the assassinations of senior Houthi leaders in an IDF strike last week. The security cabinet meeting scheduled for the afternoon has also been moved to a secure site. The IDF on Mozei Shabbos confirmed that the Houthi Prime Minister Ahmed Al-Rahawi was eliminated in the Israeli attack along with “a number of ministers.” Israeli media channels, including Kan News, reported that only four Houthi ministers are believed to be still alive. Among those eliminated in the operation were the Minister of Economy, the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Labor, the Minister of Youth and Sports, the Deputy Prime Minister for Defense and Security Affairs, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Deputy Minister of Interior, the Minister of Local Administration in the Houthi government, and the director of the Prime Minister’s office. Some reports said that it is believed that Houthi Chief of Staff Abd al-Karim Al-Ghamari and Defense Minister Mohammed Nasser Al-Atifi were also killed. Others say that they were seriously injured but survived the strike. (YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)